The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has announced the immediate development of a real-time port performance dashboard to address persistent inefficiencies at the country’s seaports, particularly in cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround.
This directive was issued by the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, during the Council’s Management System Retreat held in Lagos. According to him, the new system will be created jointly by the Regulatory Services and ICT departments, in partnership with terminal operators and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Dr. Akutah explained that the digital dashboard would track key logistics indicators and generate monthly performance reports to be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“Current cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround statistics remain unacceptable,” he stated. “We must work to ensure that cargo clearing timelines in Nigerian ports are reduced to match regional benchmarks.”
Speaking on the retreat’s theme, “Achieving Strategic Intents through Performance Lens,” the NSC boss emphasized a paradigm shift from bureaucratic procedures to outcome-based operations. He warned that departments and staff who fail to deliver measurable results would face sanctions.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council can no longer afford to operate as a process-heavy, paper-driven bureaucracy,” Akutah said. “Our success must now be defined not by intentions, but by results.”
He directed full deployment of the Council’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system by December 2025, mandating that all internal communications migrate to the platform by the end of the third quarter of 2025. Non-compliance, he warned, would attract administrative sanctions.
Additionally, Akutah reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to completing the Kano, Jos, and Ogun Inland Dry Ports. He also pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Organised Private Sector Exporters’ Group to enhance cargo evacuation and boost non-oil exports.
The retreat also featured the signing of a performance bond between the Executive Secretary and Heads of Departments and Units, a move described as a major step towards institutional accountability and service improvement.
Director of Strategic Planning and Research, Rotimi Anifowoshe, described the event as a milestone, noting that it signified the Council’s renewed dedication to transparency and performance-driven governance.
“This is not merely a ceremonial exercise,” Anifowoshe said. “The performance bond enhances institutional discipline, promotes transparency, and underscores a culture of results.”
He urged staff to embrace innovation, remain honest, and align with the Council’s vision for growth and service excellence under Akutah’s leadership.
