Mr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah has demonstrated that he is a perfect fit for the leadership of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC). Since his appointment as the Executive Secretary/CEO in 2023, he has deployed a benign blend of vision, focus and his legal background to usher a new dawn into Nigeria’s shipping business. He has used it to great effect in the execution of NSC’s mandate as the regulatory agency of the Nigerian shipping industry.
The statutory functions of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, among many others, are: to provide a forum for the protection of the interest of shippers on matters affecting the shipment of imports and exports to and from Nigeria; to encourage the formation of Shippers’ Associations all over the country; to provide a forum for consultation between the conference and non- conference lines, tramp-owners, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Government of the Federation on matters of common interest; and to negotiate and enter into agreements with Conference Lines and non-Conference Lines, ship-owners, the Nigerian Ports Authority and any other bodies on matters affecting the interests of shippers.
In less than two years of his leadership, Akutah has taken the Council to a new level and repositioned it for a more effective discharge of its functions and better performance by the country’s shipping business. Many of the milestones attained by the council during this period attest to this. One of them is the signing of the Agreement on the Minimum Standards of Conditions of Service for Workers in the Shipping Industry. NSC, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMM&BE) facilitated the signing of the agreement which establishes standard minimum conditions of service in the shipping industry. The agreement was reached between the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SACFEA) on 26th August 2024 at Eko Hotel, Lagos.
Another one is the launching of Operational Manuals for Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) at various locations across the country, including Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt. The manual which was presented to stakeholders captures the step-by-step procedures for receiving, storing, handling and delivery of cargoes. It also highlights the operational processes, the responsibilities of various agencies and timelines for discharging their duties.
The Nigerian Shippers Council also launched an online portal for registration of regulated port service providers and users at various locations across the country, including Rivers and Cross River states. The initiative aims to eradicate faceless shippers operating at the port and ensure a seamless business platform for all stakeholders.
The Council under Mr. Akutah has also automated NSC registration by developing and implementating an online portal for the registration of regulated port service providers and users. It enabled the Council to replace the manual registration exercise which was inefficient with very low compliance level with a 100% fully automated system. After launching the online portal in January 2024, the compliance level increased dramatically as service providers and users now apply to register, upload required documents, pay applicable fees and receive their certificates from the comfort of their offices, without any physical interface with staff of the Council.
The Council initiated and developed a Stakeholders Mobile App which is a one-stop shop for shipping and ports information to assist exporters and importers as well as other stakeholders with information and guidance with respect to their shipping activities.
Under Akutah’s leadership, NSC has accelerated the promotion of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) in the country. For instance, the Funtua Inland Dry Port was commissioned on 9th May, 2024, by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, an event that was attended by the Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation, Senator Dr. George Akume; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; and other dignateries. The impact of tariff negotiations and savings from incessant cargo stoppage and promotion of IDPs projects on the conomy is valued at N167 billion
Also, under Mr. Akutah, the Council successfully hosted the 17th International Maritime Seminar for Judges in July 2024 in Abuja, an event which provided a veritable platform for discussions and sharing of knowledge on recent legal developments in shipping and admiralty law by judicial officers and international resource persons from within and outside the continent.
Mr. Akutah was born on June 7, 1970 in Ushongo Local Government area of Benue State. He holds a Masters degree in Public International Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) from the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada.
Before his appointment as the ES/CEO of Nigerian Shippers Council on October 25, 2023, Mr. Akutah was the Head of Central Authority Unit, International Cooperation Department, in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
He taught International Cooperation in Criminal Matters in many countries under the auspices of the United Nations and the Commonwealth office in London and developed that aspect of law in Nigeria to what it is today. He has written highly regarded legal opinions on the use of United Nations Treaties, and handled the preparation, vetting, and negotiation of Bilateral Agreements between Nigeria and other countries on Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition.
Mr. Akutah has received several awards, including the National Honours Award, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), in 2023. He also received the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award (PCSMA) from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017. President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, presented him with the Presidential Merit Award of Excellent Service for contributions in the drafting and presentation of the African Charter for Maritime Safety and Security.
He is an Alumnus of the United States Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP), a chartered Mobile and Computer Forensics Examiner and United States International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Cooperation in Criminal Matters at the Nassarawa State University, Keffi.
The selection of Mr. Akutah by the Top10 magazine as one of the regulatory agency leaders in Nigeria is in recognition of his outstanding achievements as the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in the efficient delivery on its statutory mandate of regulatory initiatives and oversight, revenue generation and general contribution to the national economy.
