Nigerian shippers save N90.6bn, $1.348m through reforms

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it protected more than N90.6 billion and $1.348 million in economic value for Nigerian shippers through regulatory interventions and dispute resolution between November 2023 and the second quarter of 2026. Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, disclosed this during a media briefing in […]

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it protected more than N90.6 billion and $1.348 million in economic value for Nigerian shippers through regulatory interventions and dispute resolution between November 2023 and the second quarter of 2026.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, disclosed this during a media briefing in Lagos on Saturday.
He said the Council prevented N86.06 billion in unjustified demurrage payments and secured an additional N4.54 billion and $1.348 million through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and other regulatory measures.
According to Akutah, the NSC received 558 complaints during the period and resolved 295 disputes involving container deposits, demurrage, detention charges, terminal charges, cargo claims and export fraud.

 

The Council also reached out-of-court settlements with major shipping and terminal operators over excess tariff collections, reducing litigation and protecting shippers.

 

He said the Council has streamlined bonded terminal invoice charges by reducing billing categories from 18 to six, while directing terminal operators to display approved tariffs and shipping companies to establish holding bays for empty containers to ease port congestion.

 

Akutah disclosed that the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and is awaiting presidential assent.

 

He added that the Council also secured statutory funding through the 2025 Appropriation Act for the first time since its establishment in 1978.

 

On trade facilitation, he said the Council continues to support the National Single Window project and the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), both aimed at improving cargo clearance, lowering logistics costs and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.

 

Akutah dismissed concerns that the National Single Window has triggered additional demurrage charges, saying no such complaints have been recorded since its implementation following engagements with industry stakeholders.

 

He attributed delays in some Inland Dry Port and Vehicle Transit Area projects to funding constraints faced by private concessionaires and security challenges, particularly in Borno State, while dismissing allegations that the Council recently conducted a secret recruitment exercise, insisting the process complied with all statutory approvals.