In a scene that underscored renewed commitment to Nigeria’s maritime sector, Dr. Akutah Pius, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for providing a clear vision and the political will needed to reform the country’s Marine and Blue Economy. The remarks came during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to the NSC Headquarters in Lagos.

The Renewed Hope Agenda: A Catalyst for Reform

• Clear vision and political resolve: Dr. Akutah emphasised that Tinubu’s administration has articulated a direction that prioritises the development of Nigeria’s marine sector and the broader blue economy.
• Strategic leadership for the sector: He singled out Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, for dynamic leadership that has repositioned the NSC as a pivotal player in trade facilitation, regulation, and growth.

The Role of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council

• Regulatory and facilitative mandate: The NSC is positioned as a driver of trade facilitation, ensuring that ports operate with efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness.
• Partnership with the National Assembly: Dr. Akutah highlighted the Assembly’s historic passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill 2025 as a milestone that will reshape Nigeria’s maritime industry.
  • Impact: The NPERA enactment is expected to inject fairness, transparency, and competitive dynamics into port operations.

NPRA: Strengthening Port Governance

Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, underscored that the oversight visit is a constitutional responsibility grounded in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. The key points from his remarks include:

• Oversight and accountability: The visit aligns with the Senate’s duty to conduct oversight of MDAs, ensuring transparency and efficiency in policy implementation.
• Support for NPERA: The Committee expressed readiness to back the NSC’s transition into the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency, arguing that NPRA will enhance regulatory capacity across the nation’s ports.

Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Blue Economy

• Regulatory clarity drives investment: A clear, robust regulatory framework reduces ambiguity, encouraging both local and international investment in port infrastructure and maritime services.
• Competitive ports, fair play: With NPRA, port operators and shippers can anticipate fair competition, improved efficiency, and better throughput.
• Integrated growth: Strengthening the NSC-NPRA ecosystem supports Nigeria’s broader blue economy goals — creating jobs, improving trade facilitation, and boosting national GDP.

Key Takeaways

• The Renewed Hope Agenda is being cited as the hinge on which Nigeria’s maritime reforms turn.
• Leadership in the marine and blue economy, particularly from the minister and the presidency, is shaping a more facilitative and regulated port environment.
• The NPERA Bill’s passage represents a significant policy milestone aimed at fairness, transparency, and efficiency in port operations.
• The National Assembly remains an essential partner in reform, leveraging its constitutional oversight role to ensure practical, impactful implementation.