The Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, has stated that Nigeria’s maritime sector can generate over $30 billion annually when fully developed.
Dr. Akutah made this remark in Abuja after receiving the “Regulator of the Year” award from Top 10 Magazine. He emphasised the sector’s critical role in economic growth and called for strategic investments to unlock its full potential.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent reforms in the maritime sector, particularly the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry, have repositioned the sector for growth.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, @AkutahPius , has bagged the best Regulator Award of the Year 2024
The award was presented to Shippers’ Council boss, Akutah at the Top 10 Magazine Man of the Year Award ceremony held over the weekend in Abuja… pic.twitter.com/Dl6qpppy96— Nigerian Shippers’ Council (@NgShippers) February 9, 2025
“For us at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, we are looking at transmitting from the Shippers’ Council to the Port Economic Regulatory Agency, which is one of the things that has been missing since the reform of the sector in 2007.
“We are so happy that the National Assembly has graciously in the two Chambers passed that law, and we are looking forward to Mr. President’s assent.“
Akutah explained that when Mr President gives assent to the law, “we will begin to transmute from the Shippers’ Council mandate to the unofficial Port Economic Regulatory Agency mandate, which is given to us by Presidential directive as a regulatory body backed by law.
“What that means is that we will be empowered to bring about efficiency in the sector, which has eroded Nigeria for many years and once the sector becomes efficient, it will promote fair trade policies and competitiveness in the sector.
“I think that the regulations that are coming as a result of the new policies of the government will bring the desired development for the growth of the industry.“
He therefore called on Nigerians to support these policies for the development of the country’s maritime sector.
In his welcome address, the publisher of Top 10 Magazine, Tony Iji, said the awardees have contributed to the growth of the various sectors they are representing.
He urged them to do even more going forward, as the country is in need of their dedication to its sustainable development.
Other awardees at the event are the Secretary to the Federal Government, Sen. George Akume, who was given the “Man of the Year” award, and Chief Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, who was given the Woman of the Year award.
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