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The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), last Saturday, rolled out the drums, and spread the red carpet, to celebrate its 70 years of existence. It also used the opportunity of the celebration to put additional feathers on the caps of some Nigerian patriots for their excellent disposition and value-addition to the service of Nigeria. One of such patriots was Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC). On the night, Dr. Ukeyima, a law expert, evoked images of sparkling brilliance, celestial wonder and radiant joy as he was accompanied by his beautiful wife, Patricia, to receive the award from the hands of Chief Segun Osoba, an ex-governor of Ogun state.
Dr. Ukeyima’s profile has risen greatly from one of a lawyer seeking to make meaning out of the mountains of problems pulling Nigeria away from its destiny, to one of a transformative administrator, and leader, who is impactfully flipping the pages on the progressive growth of the Shippers Council and transforming it to become one of Nigeria’s most reformed organisations. He has gradually removed clogs in the wheels of the organisation and oiled its systems for effective delivery of its mandate. This is already changing the narrative, and adding value to the quest to achieve the visions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in creating the Blue Economy sector of Nigeria.
He is just two years into his mandate, but already, the chorus from the Maritime and Blue Economy sector is that Dr. Ukeyima, has, within the period, instituted a series of strategic reforms which have revitalized the Shippers Council and positioned it as a force in Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification. This is a drive away from the establishment he inherited, which at the time, was seen as burdened by systemic inefficiencies despite its immense potential. A maritime lawyer with a Master’s degree in Public International Law from Ahmadu Bello University and a distinguished career in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ukeyima came to the Shippers Council with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of international trade dynamics with which he has now aligned the council’s mandate with the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with much emphasis on economic diversification and job creation.
Ukeyima started off by articulating a clear vision which aimed at transforming the Shippers Council into a world-class regulator that would drive efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness in Nigeria’s maritime sector. His approach was characterized by what many operators have described as “silent reforms”, a reference to his strategic and deliberate changes which are implemented without fanfare but with profound impact. His reforms at the council targeted three key areas including digitalization, regulatory modernization, and stakeholder engagement. Through these, Ukeyima has been able to reshape the NSC’s operations and amplified its role in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
By the digitalization of the NSC’s processes, he was able to address age-long inefficiencies that negatively impacted cargo handling, documentation, and payment systems. He realised that Nigeria’s ports were lagging behind global standards due to manual processes, and began the process of the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to automate critical operations. As the end of May 2025, the Shippers Council had achieved the implementation of an electronic traffic system and transitioned payment processes from manual to automated systems. This has significantly reduced delays and eliminated human error. He is also effectively pursuing the activation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), a digital tool designed to enhance transparency in cargo movement. The CTN allows real-time tracking of shipments, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring that shippers have accurate information about their goods.
Also, under Ukeyima’s reformative leadership, the Council set an ambitious target of reducing cargo clearance time from 48 hours to 24 hours. To achieve this, he introduced an automated systems for cargo inspection and clearance, which, working in strategic collaboration with agencies like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has seen a significant reduction in port congestion. The council reported a 30% increase in cargo throughput at major ports like Lagos and Port Harcourt in 2024. This is a testament to the success of his reforms.
By streamlining port operations, Ukeyima’s reforms have reduced logistics costs, which previously accounted for up to 40% of the cost of goods in Nigeria. This has had a ripple effect across the economy, lowering prices for consumers and boosting the competitiveness of Nigerian exports. The automation of payment systems has also enhanced revenue collection and enabled the NSC to contribute more effectively to the federal government’s non-oil revenue targets.
Another cornerstone of Ukeyima’s leadership is his push for regulatory modernization, particularly, the transitioning of the Council into the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NSPERA). For him, the NSPERA Bill, which has been passed by the House of Representatives and is awaiting concurrence by the Senate, represents a paradigm shift for the maritime sector. Once signed into law, it will empower the new agency to set tariffs, regulate port charges, and enforce compliance with international shipping standards. This will address longstanding issues such as arbitrary charges by shipping companies and terminal operators, which have deterred foreign investment. According to Ukeyima, the agency will protect both local and foreign investors, and foster a transparent and predictable business environment.
His leadership has so far, also, been defined by his ability to build bridges with stakeholders including government agencies, private sector players and port workers. While building strategic alliances with stakeholders in the sector, Ukeyima also has his eyes on staff welfare and capacity building. Upon assuming office, he assured employees that their contributions would be valued. This step has helped to foster a sense of ownership and motivation. To enhance his visions on staff welfare, he introduced regular training programmes to equip staff with skills in digital tools and regulatory enforcement. This has helped to ensure that the NSC’s workforce is prepared for its expanded mandate under NSPERA. It has also buoyed staff morale and improved service delivery with Ukeyima winning the admiration and support of his staff.
His strategic engagement with industry stakeholders has also been positively impactful. Through multi-level consultations, he has gathered feedback on challenges facing shippers, terminal operators, and freight forwarders. He harvests these feedbacks to shape NSC policies. For instance, his advocacy for the removal of container deposits was informed by years of complaints from importers. These engagements have rebuilt trade confidence, as evidenced by a 25% increase in investor confidence reported by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping in 2024.
So far, reforms at the NSC, begun by Ukeyima, have been pointed at as being responsible for the creation of over 15,000 direct and indirect jobs since 2023, particularly in logistics and port operations. And, by promoting fair trade practices, Ukeyima’s NSC has empowered SMEs, which employ over 80% of Nigeria’s workforce, to participate more actively in international trade. This has contributed to a reduction in unemployment and poverty, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As Ukeyima approaches the midpoint of his four-year tenure, his achievements so far stand as a testimonial for transformative governance. His reforms have revitalized the NSC, once clogged by inefficiencies, and now positioning it as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic growth. His milestones extend beyond the maritime sector as his commitment to education, through the Maritime Academy, and his advocacy for fair trade practices has empowered Nigerians, particularly SMEs and youths. These are part of the reasons his recognition by the NUJ, with an Award for Excellence, is acknowledged as appropriate.
