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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has commenced a four-day operational retreat for Grade Level 12–14 officers as part of efforts to strengthen leadership capacity, improve performance management, and accelerate the implementation of strategic reforms across the organisation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held in Ogun State on Thursday, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, described the retreat as a critical investment in leadership development, succession planning, and institutional transformation.
The retreat, themed “Middle Managers as Catalysts for Excellence and Innovation: Building the Next Generation of Leaders for Institutional Transformation and Sustainable Growth,” brings together middle-level officers considered pivotal to the Council’s future growth and operational effectiveness.
According to Akutah, the initiative aligns with the Council’s Strategic Plan 2025–2029 and is designed to equip participants with the skills and competencies required to assume higher leadership responsibilities within the organisation.
“The retreat is more than a training programme. It is an investment in leadership development, succession planning, institutional capacity building, and the future of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council,” he stated.
He emphasized that middle managers serve as the crucial bridge between policy formulation and execution, noting that their ability to effectively implement strategies will determine the Council’s success in achieving measurable outcomes.
Akutah explained that the programme is specifically tailored to prepare Grade Level 12–14 officers for future roles as Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, and Directors, thereby strengthening the Council’s leadership pipeline.
A major highlight of the retreat was the unveiling of a new Retreat Governance and Performance Management Policy, aimed at ensuring that resolutions reached during the retreat translate into concrete institutional results.
Under the framework, oversight responsibility will reside with the Office of the Executive Secretary, while the Strategic Planning and Research Department (SPRD) will provide technical leadership. Coordination of implementation activities will be handled by the Human Resources Management Department (HRMD).
The policy also establishes a Retreat Steering Committee, implementation scorecards, periodic reporting mechanisms, and a structured process for integrating retreat resolutions into departmental work plans and performance management systems.
“Accordingly, all approved retreat resolutions, communiqués, and action points shall be incorporated into departmental work plans and performance assessment frameworks, with clearly assigned responsibilities, timelines, performance indicators, and reporting obligations,” Akutah said.
The Executive Secretary noted that the policy marks a shift from conventional retreat exercises to a results-oriented approach where outcomes are tracked, measured, and linked directly to organisational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Earlier in his remarks, the Director of the Strategic Planning and Research Department welcomed participants and urged them to take full advantage of the programme. He stressed the importance of professionalism, accountability, innovation, and mentorship in building a resilient institution capable of meeting evolving industry demands.
The director also encouraged officers to embrace continuous learning and service-oriented leadership, describing the retreat as a platform for personal growth and organisational renewal.
The retreat, which began on June 24, will conclude on June 27, 2026, with participants expected to develop actionable strategies aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening institutional performance, and supporting the Council’s long-term transformation agenda.
