Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON has signaled a new era for Nigeria’s maritime sector with the formal inauguration of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Governing Board.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, January 19, 2026, Oyetola mandated the board to drive transparency and efficiency as a core part of the nation’s port reforms. “Renewed Hope Agenda” continues to be the central policy framework for the Tinubu administration, often cited in relation to institutional reforms and governance milestones. Using precise language like “strengthening institutional governance” aligns well with current official government communications.
The Minister noted that the event underscores a strategic pivot toward the Blue Economy—a vital catalyst for Nigeria’s economic resurgence.
In a landmark event for the maritime sector, Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, officially inaugurated the new Board. Key dignitaries in attendance included Permanent Secretary Mrs. Fatima Sugra Mahmood and NSC Chief Executive Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, marking a unified commitment to the nation’s Blue Economy mandate.
According to the Minister, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council plays a pivotal role in lowering the cost of doing business and protecting trade interests. Effective regulation isn’t just a goal—it is the Ministry’s blueprint for unlocking efficiency and positioning Nigeria as a leader in global trade.
Tasking the new Board to provide decisive leadership and statutory oversight, Oyetola emphasized the need for a seamless partnership with Management. His mandate was clear: uphold the highest professional standards to ensure that every policy translates into a measurable boost for Nigeria’s sector-wide competitiveness.
The Minister pledged the Ministry’s unwavering support, charging the Board to lead with integrity, discipline, and a results-oriented mindset that honors the mandate given by President Tinubu.
Chaired by former Katsina State Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, the new Governing Board brings together a diverse assembly of industry leaders, including NSC Executive Secretary/CEO Dr. Pius Akutah and representatives from NACCIMA, MAN, and the NNPC.
Speaking for the Board, Dr. Shema expressed profound gratitude to the President and the Minister for their trust. He committed to a standard of excellence, pledging that the Board will work in lockstep with the Ministry to sharpen regulatory efficiency, optimize port performance, and deliver measurable economic gains for Nigerian shippers and the broader maritime sector.
As Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, the Shippers’ Council remains the vanguard of transparency and fairness—dedicated to transforming the maritime trade landscape into a globally competitive powerhouse.
