By Nnasom David

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, has expressed deep appreciation for receiving an award for excellence from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), describing the recognition as a strong endorsement from one of the country’s most critical and respected professional bodies.

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Dr. Akutah said the NUJ’s acknowledgment was significant, not just for him but for all recipients, given the Union’s decades-long record of journalistic integrity and constructive scrutiny.

“Being honoured by the NUJ means a lot to me. This is a union that has lasted over 70 years, training and nurturing media professionals who hold leaders accountable. So, for them to recognize me today means expectations are high and it’s a challenge I embrace,” he said.

Dr. Akutah, who was appointed under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold decision to diversify Nigeria’s economy by focusing on non-oil sectors, particularly import and export.

He also praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for supporting critical reforms within the port system.

One of the most pressing challenges, Akutah noted, was the outdated legal framework under which the Nigerian Shippers Council operated, especially since it was designated as the Port Economic Regulator through a presidential directive.

To address this, the Council pushed for a new legal regime, resulting in the drafting of a bill to establish the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency.

“With support from the Minister, we now have a bill that has passed through both chambers of the National Assembly and is awaiting presidential assent,” Akutah revealed. “This law, once signed, will empower the new agency to regulate the sector effectively, protect foreign and local investments, and drive professionalism while locking out bad actors.”

Dr. Akutah, a former federal prosecutor with 18 years of experience in the Ministry of Justice, believes the legal reform will transform the port sector into a major economic engine.

“In the next five years, we expect to see a fully grounded regulatory agency that will overhaul the port economy,” he stated. “We’re talking about job creation, automation of port systems, increased investor confidence, and a significant boost to national revenue.”

He concluded that the signing of the bill would mark a turning point, allowing Nigeria’s port sector to move from policy intentions to impactful implementation, laying the foundation for sustained growth in the marine and blue economy.