The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, has called for stronger regional collaboration, harmonised inspection standards and sustained capacity-building to strengthen maritime safety, facilitate trade and unlock the full economic potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Ukeyima made the call on Monday while speaking at the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (Abuja MoU) Regional Workshop for Directors-General and Chief Executive Officers of Maritime Administrations held in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “A Future-Ready Port State Control Regime: Leadership, People, Governance, and Performance for Safer Maritime Systems,” he described the workshop as timely, stressing that effective leadership remains the foundation of resilient and sustainable maritime institutions.
He noted that although robust regulations and technological innovation are vital to the growth of the maritime industry, meaningful and lasting reforms can only be achieved through visionary leadership, strong institutional commitment and regional cooperation.
Dr. Ukeyima commended the Abuja MoU and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation for launching the five-year Port State Control (PSC) Capacity-Building Programme, describing it as a significant investment in leadership development, institutional strengthening and regulatory excellence across West and Central Africa.
According to him, the initiative demonstrates a collective commitment to building stronger maritime institutions through investments in people, governance and leadership, while enhancing compliance with international maritime conventions and improving Port State Control performance across the region.
The NSC chief also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for elevating the Marine and Blue Economy as a strategic pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He equally praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for driving reforms and providing strategic leadership aimed at aligning Nigeria’s maritime sector with global best practices within a short period.
Dr. Ukeyima stressed that an effective Port State Control regime is critical to ensuring safer shipping, protecting the marine environment, improving port efficiency and boosting investor confidence—key elements for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s commitment to leadership development and stakeholder collaboration, noting that the Council continues to work closely with regulators, terminal operators, shipping companies and other industry players to promote transparency, operational efficiency and trust within the maritime sector.
He further urged maritime regulators, port operators, development partners and stakeholders across the region to deepen cooperation through joint capacity-building initiatives, harmonised inspection procedures, coordinated policy reforms and enhanced information sharing to improve compliance with international standards and strengthen regional competitiveness.
Dr. Ukeyima expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among Abuja MoU member states would reinforce maritime governance, improve Port State Control systems, facilitate regional trade and position West and Central Africa as a safer, more efficient and globally competitive maritime hub.
He added that the outcomes of the workshop would further deepen regional cooperation and help build resilient maritime institutions capable of supporting sustainable economic growth and safer shipping across West and Central Africa.
