Dr. Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), has issued a compelling call for Nigeria to urgently dismantle barriers hindering regional trade. In an exclusive interview, Akutah outlined how ongoing reforms are positioning the country's maritime sector for global competitiveness while stressing the need for Nigeria to lead Africa's logistics revolution under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Building the Backbone: Ports, Parks, and Rail Connectivity
Akutah highlighted the Council's strategic focus on developing critical supporting infrastructure to ease cargo movement. He pointed to the development of inland dry ports, vehicle transit parks (VTPs), and border facilities as pivotal projects. The nearly completed Funtua Inland Dry Port was singled out as a priority, with operational ports currently concentrated in the north-west in Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina.
On Vehicle Transit Parks, the NSC boss explained their dual purpose: enhancing road safety and boosting economic activity. "We observed many road accidents are caused by driver fatigue," he stated. The parks will provide secure rest stops, preventing cargo theft and damage associated with unsafe roadside parking. Fourteen such parks are at various development stages nationwide, with a deliberate effort to ensure even geographical distribution.
Akutah also praised the current administration for completing the Lagos-Kano rail corridor and expressed hope for the eastern line. He emphasized that rail remains the cheapest and safest mode for moving cargo and is vital for optimizing national logistics.
Capturing Informal Trade and Resolving Billion-Naira Disputes
A key initiative to formalize cross-border commerce is the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs). Akutah noted that communities along borders trade freely, but much of this activity is informal and unrecorded. "If we fail to capture these activities, our national trade database will remain incomplete," he warned. The BICs aim to monitor, document, and ultimately formalize this trade while collaborating with neighbouring countries to curb smuggling.
On maritime disputes, which are inherent in a sector handling over 80% of global trade, Akutah revealed the Council's successful push for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The NSC's Compliance Unit has become a trusted platform for amicable settlements. In the last year alone, the Council's interventions saved stakeholders over N6 billion in potential costs from court litigation. This year, savings have already exceeded N4 billion, with between 300 to 400 cases handled.
AfCFTA Lessons and the Path to a Regulatory Overhaul
Reflecting on Nigeria's engagement with the AfCFTA, Akutah admitted a strategic misstep. "Nigeria made a mistake by not signing the agreement immediately," he said, noting that the country lost key opportunities, including hosting the secretariat and securing strategic roles for its citizens. He urged Nigeria to now prepare vigorously to maximize AfCFTA benefits, with strengthening maritime connectivity as an immediate priority to position Nigeria as a continental hub.
Regarding regulatory compliance, Akutah rated stakeholder cooperation as high, citing voluntary registration during recent reforms. He identified the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill as the Council's most significant achievement in his two-year tenure. This new law, which has passed through the National Assembly and awaits presidential assent, will replace the outdated 1978 decree (CAP N133 LFN 2004) and provide a modern legal framework for the sector.
Akutah concluded with a call to action, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford delays as other African nations rapidly develop their maritime infrastructure. Building strong institutions and legal regimes is essential for the country to reclaim its leadership role and harness the full potential of regional and global trade.
