The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) have strengthened their partnership to advance the maritime sector through legislative modernisation and regulatory reforms to build a more robust, competitive and globally integrated maritime economy that can drive Nigeria’s growth in the years to come.
Speaking during a visit by the NMLA team to the NSC headquarters in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, warned that prolonged litigation could cause significant economic damage, making alternative dispute resolution (ADR) a crucial tool for the sector.
He highlighted the council’s ongoing legislative efforts to secure a stronger regulatory role and outlined critical areas for future cooperation, including ADR capacity building, and infrastructure development.
Akutah also highlighted the critical role of ADR in maintaining a healthy investment environment in Nigeria’s maritime sector, in which the council’s in-house ADR mechanisms resolved several disputes in nine months, saving the country over N6 billion.
He highlighted the government’s focus on diversifying Nigeria’s economy beyond oil with the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, a shift that places the maritime sector at the forefront of growth.
Akutah highlighted Canada’s mature blue economy as a model that Nigeria could learn from, suggesting that such partnerships could accelerate the country’s progress in this sector.
Given Nigeria’s position under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, Akutah emphasised the need for proactive engagement to attract investments and compete in a market open to the rest of Africa.
Akutah also emphasised the pivotal role of the NSC in Nigeria’s maritime landscape, particularly as it seeks to transition into a formal regulatory agency through ongoing legislative changes.
He said the council operates under a 1978 law, which will be obsolete this year, stressing the need for updated legislation to align with the current realities of the sector.
Akutah said the Council’s bid to become a statutory Port Economic Regulator is currently before the National Assembly, with approval from the House of Representatives and pending deliberation in the Senate.
Akutah called for the NMLA’s continued support in finalising this legislation and shaping the regulatory framework once it is enacted.
Akutah praised the impactful partnership between the Council and the association, particularly their joint efforts in organising the international maritime seminar for judges, which have led to resolutions that have enriched both the NSC’s work and the broader maritime industry.
The President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Funke Agbor stated that the Council has been instrumental in advancing trade facilitation, protecting shippers’ interests, and enhancing efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime logistics chain.
Agbor highlighted the potential for joint efforts in areas such as trade facilitation, dispute resolution, port governance and adherence to international conventions.
She solicited joint efforts in advancing Nigeria’s blue economy, which encompasses sustainable maritime activities like coastal tourism and offshore resource management.
Agbor sought continuous partnership to enhance alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and build on the Council’s existing progress.
Agbor emphasised the NMLA’s dedication to supporting the country’s exploration of the blue economy’s full potential while soliciting the Council collaboration to address legal frameworks governing sustainable maritime activities.
She proposed that the NMLA and the Council work closely to boost mediation and arbitration services, ensuring faster and more effective resolution of maritime disputes that protect commercial interests.
Agbor further emphasised the alignment between the roles of the Shippers’ Council, as Nigeria’s port industry regulator, and the NMLA’s mission to foster maritime law development, promote fairness in commerce and uphold industry best practices.
Agbor expressed appreciation for the ongoing support of the NSC and highlighted the Council’s crucial role in advancing the NMLA’s mission as well as being a steadfast ally in the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector