The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has concluded a high-level operational tour of major terminal operators and shipping companies in Lagos, emphasizing that sustained stakeholder engagement is the non-negotiable key to unlocking the $1 trillion economy envisioned by the federal government. Leading the delegation on Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, alongside the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, visited the facilities of CMA CGM Nigeria and APM Terminals (APMT) Apapa. The council maintained that port efficiency is a “national security priority,” particularly regarding the “speedy clearance” of power sector equipment and other critical infrastructure materials needed to stabilize Nigeria’s electricity supply chain.
During the tour, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema a former Governor of Katsina State urged terminal operators to prioritize the evacuation of cargoes related to “legacy projects” in the energy and transport sectors. He maintained that delays at the ports often lead to “project cost overruns” that the nation can ill afford under current economic realities. Supporting context from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council indicates that the visit was a “fact-finding mission” to assess the implementation of the “Port Process Manual” and identify bottlenecks that still hinder the “Ease of Doing Business.” Dr. Pius Akutah commended CMA CGM for its “progressive stance” in abolishing container deposit funds, a move he described as a “benchmark for the industry.” He also lauded APM Terminals for its proposed $600 million reinvestment plan, noting that such foreign direct investment is a vote of confidence in the Nigerian maritime sector.
Stakeholder reactions to the council’s tour have been positive, with terminal operators expressing their readiness to collaborate on “digitalization and modernization” efforts. The Managing Director of CMA CGM Nigeria, Mr. Hinelder Ferreira, highlighted the company’s commitment to “e-registration” and “paperless transactions” to reduce human interference and curb corruption at the ports. Similarly, the Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Mr. Kamal Alhraishat, pointed to the terminal’s ongoing investments in “automated cargo handling” as a key driver of improved vessel turnaround time. However, shipping agents and clearing practitioners have urged the council to address the “perpetual gridlock” on the port access roads, arguing that “internal efficiency” is meaningless if the “external logistics” remain broken.
Maritime and supply chain analysts observe that the “NSC’s regulatory activism” is essential to prevent “monopolistic tendencies” within the port system. Experts suggest that the focus on “power project cargoes” is a strategic alignment with the federal government’s industrialization goal. They argue that the Shippers’ Council must now transition from “tours and visits” to “enforcement and sanctions” for operators who fail to meet the “Minimum Standards of Service” (MSS). Analyst Dr. Olasunkanmi Bello noted that “port efficiency is a function of synergy,” adding that the “Marine and Blue Economy” ministry must integrate the council’s findings into a “National Port Masterplan” that includes rail-to-port connectivity and the full operationalization of the “Inland Dry Ports” (IDPs).
The broader implications of this stakeholder engagement point toward a more “competitive and transparent” maritime environment for Nigeria. By pushing for “modernization and adaptation of technology,” the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is helping to position the nation’s ports as the preferred destination for transit cargoes in West Africa. The successful attraction of over $600 million in reinvestment capital from existing operators shows that the “policy adjustments” being championed by the council are beginning to resonate with the global shipping community. As the council expands its monitoring to other ports in Onne and Port Harcourt, the focus remains on “reducing the cost of shipping” for the average Nigerian importer. For the business community, the NSC’s tour is a reassuring sign that the “logistics bottlenecks” of the past are being addressed through “active oversight.”
