Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah has made a strong case for the adoption of regional benchmarks for the level of efficiency at Nigeria’s seaports, warning that the current heavy reliance on paper work by some operators, helps to increase cargo dwell time and reduce turnaround time of vessels that call at the country’s seaports.

This trajectory, according to him does not make for efficiency and competitiveness with other seaports within the West and Central African sub-region, assuring that the Council under his watch is willing to work with other operators to reverse this narrative

Speaking at a senior management special retreat with the theme: “Achieving Strategic Intents Through Performance Lens,” in Lagos, Wednesday, Akutah disclosed that the NSC under his watch has moved to a new era and can no longer afford to operate as a process-heavy, paper-driven bureaucracy, rather an outcome-driven institution focused on measurable results.

“Current cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround statistics remain unacceptable, as they not meet regional efficiency benchmarks and do not make for competitiveness. We must work to ensure that cargo clearing timelines in Nigeria’s seaports are reduced to match regional standards. The days of manual processing must come to an end”, Akutah said emphatically.

He directed the Regulatory Services and ICT Units of the Council to collaborate with terminal operators and Customs to develop an integrated dashboard for real-time tracking of vessel and cargo processing benchmarks, which will form part of the Council’s monthly performance reviews.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s bold and reform-oriented leadership, especially the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which he described as a catalyst for transforming Nigeria’s ocean economy.

He also lauded the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for galvanising institutions within the sector, including the NSC towards innovation and measurable impacts. The NSC boss noted that the Federal Government’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy places performance at the core of national development.

He pledged that the NSC must lead in facilitating trade, improving port efficiency, strengthening inter-agency coordination, accelerating port infrastructure delivery, enhancing stakeholder confidence, and mainstreaming sustainability across the country’s trade and logistics value chain.

“The Strategic Plan (2025–2029) developed by the Council, and the retreat that convenes us here today, reflect our response to that call. I wish to outline our strategic imperatives and issue clear policy directives to guide implementation over the next five years.

“The Council must serve as both a policy anchor and delivery vehicle in support of the Ministry’s goals. Our mandates align with the policy’s strategic thrusts, including trade logistics, cargo management, and port infrastructure development.

“All departments — particularly Legal Services, Strategic Planning, & Research, Regulatory Services, Consumer Affairs, Inland Transport Services, and Zonal Coordinators, are to align annual work plans with relevant components of the national policy.

“Quarterly reports evidencing this alignment shall henceforth be submitted to the ES/CEO’s Office and transmitted to the Ministry”, he said.

Akutah mandated the full deployment of the Council’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system with 100per cent compliance across all departments by December 2025,

He warned that by the end of the third quarter of 2025, all internal memos, approvals, correspondences, and record-keeping must migrate to the ECM platform, with administrative sanctions awaiting any non-compliant department.

“The implementation of the Federal Government’s Performance Management System is non-negotiable. Each staff member, from the highest to the most junior, must be assessed against a clearly defined set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Human Resource Management HRM and Special Planning and Research Department SPRD are to finalise and implement individual performance contracts in line with departmental scorecards. Annual promotions, postings, and recognitions will be tied to individual and departmental performance, ” he said.

Akutah also stressed the need for projects such as the Jos Inland Dry Port, Gateway IDP (Ogun), Kano Dala IDP, Potiskum VTA, and Border Information Centres to move from planning to full execution.

He announced that the Inland Transport Services Department, PPP, and relevant zonal coordinators would provide fortnightly progress reports, with him as the ES/CEO personally monitoring project timelines, budget adherence, and stakeholder engagement.

He added, “A regulator that is not responsive to its stakeholders loses legitimacy. We must engage constructively, communicate clearly, and act decisively.

“The PR Unit, Consumer Affairs Department, and Strategic Planning Department must institutionalise quarterly stakeholder forums, release public-facing regulatory newsletters, and establish a formal complaint-resolution tracker.

“This administration will prioritise talent development, onboarding, mentorship, and welfare.

“HRM must roll out a structured induction process for all new staff within 30 days of employment. Additionally, the Council will institutionalise a Leadership and Innovation Development Series for senior officers, starting from third quarter of 2025.

“We must now move from good intentions to disciplined execution. From this retreat, I expect that every Director, Deputy Director, and Unit Head will return with a clear action plan, a revised mindset, and a renewed sense of urgency.”

Akutah also pledged to prioritise talent development, onboarding, mentorship, and welfare for staff, just as he called for a disciplined execution and a renewed sense of urgency from all Council members.

“Performance is not an option. It is the new culture,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director of the Council in charge of Strategic Planning and Research Department, Mr. Rotimi Anifowose, who delivered a welcome address, explained that the Management Special Retreat will witness the validation of the Council’s recently concluded strategic planning session, and the signing of the performance bond between the Executive Secretary and the Heads of Departments and Units.

He said: “Our recent strategic planning session was not merely a routine exercise. It was a participatory and reflective engagement designed to realign our institutional vision, mission, and goals especially with current transitional period and future expectations.

“The insights, ideas, and recommendations gathered during that session have been meticulously documented in the draft report, which we are here today to validate.”