A CNN report released this Saturday, March 21, revealed that..”Oil and liquefied natural gas tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz carry around 20% of the world’s supply. But for countries on the Persian Gulf, the waterway is more than just an energy route – it’s a lifeline for more than 100 million people. Now, as the United States and Israel’s war with Iran chokes this vital stretch of water, it’s also straining food supply into the region. Thriving in this harsh climate takes effort. With summer temperatures topping 50…
Category: Business
Regulator Suspends Port Tariff Hikes for Stakeholder Talks
In its capacity as the Nation’s Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has ordered all shipping lines and agents to immediately suspend recently approved tariff adjustments. This directive follows significant concerns raised by industry stakeholders regarding the impact of these hikes on port users. Following a Council directive issued Friday, March 20, the Regulator has mandated that all shipping lines and agencies maintain the status quo. A final resolution will be disseminated only upon the conclusion of stakeholder consultations and the formal filing of reports: ” The Nigerian…
Tariffs Hike: Shippers’ Council Takes Command, Mandates Resolution as Forwarders Picket MSC, Others.
“Dialogue over Disruption” remains the firm stance of Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. He urged freight forwarders to embrace diplomacy over industrial action, noting that a commitment to the roundtable ensures dispute resolution without stalling Nigeria’s critical economic engine. Dr. Akutah issued this appeal while addressing the escalating tensions at the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), where freight forwarders had gathered to protest a recent surge in shipping tariffs. He urged all parties to move beyond the picket line and resolve the…
NDLEA Arrests UK-Bound Septuagenarian with 11kg Cocaine in Balloons; Seizes 340,000 Codeine Bottles in Massive Lagos Raids
In a significant blow to international drug trafficking, NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) have arrested 74-year-old Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka. The septuagenarian was apprehended after a massive consignment of cocaine, concealed within foil and balloons, was discovered stashed in his luggage during a UK-bound flight screening. In a statement released on Sunday, March 15, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest of a 74-year-old septuagenarian, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Abuja airport. The suspect, who claimed to be traveling to London for a…
Gateway To Growth: Shippers’ Council, Ogun State, Team Up For Inland Port
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D led the Council’s management team on a high-level courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in Abeokuta on Friday, March 6, 2026. The meeting underscored the ongoing collaboration between the Council and the state government to advance key maritime and logistics infrastructure. Commending the Ogun State Government’s steadfast dedication, Dr. Akutah expressed strong optimism that the landmark project is nearing completion. He noted that the state’s proactive approach has paved…
Lafarge Africa Hits ₦1.1tn Revenue as PBT Jumps 170% to ₦411bn
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar Lagos, Nigeria — Lafarge Africa Plc has recorded a landmark financial performance for the 2025 financial year, posting ₦1.1 trillion in revenue — a 53 per cent increase from ₦696.8 billion in 2024. A press statement by Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor, Head of Corporate Communications made available to our correspondent said that, Profit Before Tax (PBT) surged by 170 per cent to ₦411 billion, while Profit After Tax (PAT) rose sharply from ₦100.1 billion in 2024 to ₦273 billion, representing a 173 per cent increase. Operating profit climbed…
Shippers’ Council Speeds Up Port Reforms to Unlock Nigeria’s Economic Potential
In a sustained drive to fuel economic growth, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Abuja Liaison Office recently hosted its high-impact seminar, ‘From Port to Prosperity.’ By uniting key stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory to tackle trade expansion and maritime efficiency, the Council is actively repositioning Nigeria as a formidable global maritime hub. Rebecca Adamu, Head of Public Relations for the NSC, highlighted that the seminar successfully united a “Who’s Who” of the trade industry. Bringing together powerhouses like the Nigeria Customs Service, CBN, ECOWAS, and AfCFTA representatives, the event…
Border Trade Goes to the Movies: Shippers’ Council, Customs, and ECOWAS Engage Traders
To bolster regional integration and streamline operations at the Seme-Krake axis, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, and the Nigeria Customs Service, hosted a landmark film screening and dialogue session in Badagry on February 25, 2026. Held under the theme “Trade Now: Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Border Information Centres,” the event used documentary storytelling to bridge information gaps and encourage traders to utilize dedicated support desks for seamless, legitimate trade. In a recent statement issued by the Council’s Head of Public Relations, Rabecca Adamu, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima (MON),…
Celebrating Partnership and Growth at the 2025 Lafarge Africa Awards
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar LAGOS, Nigeria – Lafarge Africa Plc, a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, hosted its prestigious 2025 Customer and Transporter Awards last weekend at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island. The gala celebrated the outstanding contributions of trade partners whose dedication bolstered the company’s market leadership over the past year. The high-profile event drew an influential crowd, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai; the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs; and members of the Lafarge Africa Board, including Mrs.…
Akutah: Single Window to End Port Opacity
Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D, the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has expressed firm confidence that the National Single Window (NSW) will be a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime sector. Once operational, the platform is expected to fundamentally transform port transparency and streamline trade processes by eliminating fragmented manual systems He affirmed that the initiative will resolve longstanding operational bottlenecks caused by the fragmented activities of agencies currently operating in silos. He emphasized that the NSW will drive synergy and coordinated collaboration by consolidating…