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Maritime stakeholders across Nigeria’s shipping and logistics sector have commended the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah MON, for his swift and decisive intervention in the recent attempt by shipping companies to review shipping charges in Nigeria.
Freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and port service operators, have described Dr. Akutah’s timely action as a stabilizing force that prevented what could have escalated into a major crisis within the nation’s maritime and trade ecosystem.
The controversy followed reports of an upward review of shipping charges by some shipping companies operating in the country and consequent protests on Monday and Tuesday.
Industry observers, however, noted that the adjustments were introduced without sufficient consultation with key stakeholders, raising concerns over potential disruptions at the ports and increased cost of doing business.
However, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, under Dr. Akutah’s leadership, promptly intervened by summoning the shipping lines, engaging relevant industry players, and insisting on broad stakeholder consultation before any new charges could be implemented.
The intervention effectively halted the unilateral process and restored confidence across the sector, even as it has also replaced some of the criticisms meted out on the Council in recent weeks into commendations.
A Lagos-based freight forwarder, Mrs. Ifeoma Okorie, described the move as a welcome demonstration of effective port economic regulation.
“The Shippers’ Council under Dr. Akutah has proven that it stands with port users. This prompt action nipped in the bud what could have snowballed into a nationwide logistics crisis,” she said.
While encouraging the Executive Secretary of NSC, Dr. Akutah, to deploy a hands-on leadership approach to address the multiple cost-related issues at the nation’s seaports, the National President of Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, appreciated the Council’s decision to suspend increment in shipping charges until robust stakeholders engagements are held.
Importers and exporters also joined in commending the NSC’s intervention. Mr. Tunde Adebayo, a spokesperson for a Coalition of Importers at Apapa Port, noted that sudden cost increases would have had ripple effects on consumer prices.
From the exporters’ perspective, Ms. Grace Eze, said the decision reinforced confidence in Nigeria’s trade facilitation framework.
“Export competitiveness depends on predictable shipping costs. The Shippers’ Council’s intervention has preserved stability and investor confidence in our maritime trade environment.”
Stakeholders equally appreciated the NSC’s role in engaging freight forwarders and operatives of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on Tuesday with 2 NSC Directors and other heads of strategic units including the Council’s Complaints Unit leading the fruitful dialogue before the hiked charges were suspended.
They encouraged Akutah to tilt his leadership style towards consistently promoting dialogue as the cornerstone of maritime governance, noting that his insistence on inclusive consultation aligns with global best practices, where any review of shipping tariffs or service charges must involve all affected parties.
“Unilateral decisions on shipping charges affect thousands of businesses and millions of Nigerians. Full stakeholder engagement is not optional – it is essential for fairness, transparency, and sustainable port operations,” she said.
Industry analysts believe Dr. Akutah’s handling of the situation has further strengthened the credibility of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as an effective port economic regulator and a dependable mediator between service providers and port users.
