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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said that it saved over N90.60 billion and $1.348 million in economic value for Nigerian shippers and the national economy through regulatory interventions, dispute resolution mechanisms and trade facilitation reforms.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Pius Akutah, disclosed this during a media briefing with maritime editors and reporters in Lagos on Saturday, said that the Council’s achievements align with the Federal Government’s drive to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
He added that the amount protected comprised N86.06 billion in unjustified demurrage payments prevented through regulatory oversight, as well as savings of N4.54 billion and $1.348 million secured through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and other regulatory interventions.
Providing a breakdown of the Council’s dispute resolution activities, said: “Between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2026, the Council received 558 complaints and successfully resolved 295 commercial disputes involving container deposits, demurrage, detention charges, terminal charges, cargo claims and export fraud-related matters. The interventions resulted in recoveries and savings exceeding N4.54 billion and $1.348 million,” he explained.
Addressing reports alleging that the Council had covertly recruited new members of staff, Akutah dismissed the claims, insisting that the exercise was conducted transparently and in full compliance with due process.
The NSC boss challenged journalists to visit the Council’s headquarters to investigate the recruitment process, expressing confidence that they would find that all laid-down procedures were strictly followed. However, he said that the Council also concluded out-of-court settlements involving major industry operators, including APM Terminals Nigeria Limited, CMA CGM and Maersk Nigeria Limited, over charges paid above approved tariffs, thereby reducing litigation and reinforcing confidence in the Council’s dispute resolution framework.
On port economic regulation, he said that Council harmonised bonded terminal invoice charges, reducing charge categories from 18 to six in a move aimed at eliminating duplication and improving billing transparency.
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According to him, terminal operators were directed to publicly display approved tariffs, while shipping companies were mandated to establish holding bays outside the ports to facilitate the return of empty containers and ease congestion along port access roads.
He revealed that the Council facilitated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and employers in the shipping industry, resulting in the adoption of a new ₦200,000 minimum wage for junior workers after nearly two decades of negotiations, saying that discussions on a similar agreement for senior staff, are at an advanced stage.
On legislative reforms, he described the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill by both chambers of the National Assembly as a major milestone.
He pointed out that once assented to by the President, the legislation would establish an independent port economic regulator with enhanced powers over tariffs, service standards, competition and commercial conduct within the port industry.
He also highlighted the approval of the Council’s statutory funding mechanism in the 2025 Appropriation Act, the first such approval since the Council’s establishment in 1978, describing it as a sustainable framework for effective regulation.
He said the Council has continued to support the implementation of the National Single Window Project and has resolved outstanding issues delaying the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), both of which are expected to improve cargo visibility, streamline clearance procedures and reduce the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
Akutah reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to deepening port economic regulation, strengthening consumer protection, accelerating digital transformation and supporting the transition to the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency once the NPERA Bill receives Presidential Assent.
