Dr. Akutah Ukeyima's initial year leading the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been marked by a path of change, strength, and forward-thinking reforms designed to transform a struggling organization into a key force in Nigeria's maritime industry. Taking on the role of executive secretary and CEO in November 2023, Akutah entered an agency suffering from neglect, financial challenges, and obsolete legal structures. Nevertheless, within just one year, his leadership has sparked renewed optimism for the sector's future, fueled by a bold initiative to revitalize infrastructure, reform laws, and implement advanced trade facilitation measures.
After taking office, Akutah found a depleted treasury and a discouraged workforce struggling with unpaid salaries and inadequate working conditions. As he stated, "When I arrived, the work environment was far from supportive. You could feel poverty everywhere; people were not treated properly." With the first allocation in December, Akutah promptly settled salary backlogs and staff welfare debts, creating a base for improved morale despite administrative challenges such as year-end account closures that drained initial funds.
Acknowledging that the agency's physical condition highlighted its operational difficulties, he focused on a full renovation of office spaces and ordered structural assessments for immediate repairs. These initiatives received strong support from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose consistent backing provided essential funding and political determination to advance the reforms.
Although, Akutah's most significant accomplishment is in the legal field. For many years, the Nigerian Shippers Council functioned under a restrictive 1978 decree that did not adequately address its growing role as Nigeria's port economic regulator – a responsibility assigned without a proper legal basis since 2014. Utilizing his experience as a prosecutor at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, Akutah advocated for a new bill to abolish the obsolete law and create the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency, an empowered body with full authority to implement regulations and bring stability to the sector. The bill, supported by major maritime agencies, has been guided through the National Assembly and is awaiting final presidential approval – a landmark that is expected to reshape Nigeria's maritime governance.
Crucial for Nigeria's future trade effectiveness is the adoption of the International Cargo Tracking Note, an advanced system that ensures cargo safety, enhances income, and streamlines customs procedures.
Akutah mentions that earlier efforts faced difficulties due to disputes about the idea of "free money" from the system, but currently, with presidential support, the council is carefully examining proposals, aiming to introduce ICTN by the end of the year. "Countries such as Cameroon allocate more than 40 percent of their national budget through ICTN," he notes, picturing comparable benefits for Nigeria.
A key component of Akutah's approach is infrastructure. This comes as the council took over nearly finished inland dry ports, including Funtua, which is now fully functioning and extending the scope of maritime logistics past crowded seaports such as Apapa. These inland ports serve as regional shipping centers, enabling cargo handling and processing away from coastal congestion, greatly enhancing trade efficiency and the simplicity of conducting business throughout Nigeria's various regions.
In addition to this vision, the NSC head highlights the importance of effective rail transport connecting these IDPs to seaports, promoting public-private collaborations to address the high costs associated with infrastructure projects. Moving forward, he urges private sector involvement as vital for tapping into the significant opportunities within Nigeria’s blue economy, noting the sector's diversity from fish sellers to major maritime operations, and emphasizing that the government's responsibility is to establish a supportive framework for long-term development.
With more than two years left in his term, Akutah's attention is still firmly on: achieving legal empowerment for the council's new responsibilities, enhancing operational effectiveness, and establishing Nigeria as a flourishing maritime center capable of taking advantage of the significant opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area. He imagines a future where rigorous but equitable regulations safeguard investors and maintain market stability, ensuring that Nigeria's ports and shipping industries remain competitive and successful on the global stage.
According to Akutah, "For the next two years, my focus will be on enhancing our agency's capabilities to drive efficiencies that will position Nigeria's maritime industry as a strong force, leading to sustained growth and economic stability."
Dr. Babatunde Faustino, a communication advisor, writes from Lagos
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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