The Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Nigerian Navy have deepened their partnership to enhance maritime security and protect Nigeria’s trade corridors.
During a visit to the Council, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, met with Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, to consolidate inter-agency collaboration. He commended the Council’s support for blue economy initiatives, particularly efforts promoting environmentally sustainable shipping to reduce emissions and marine pollution.
Mustapha highlighted the Navy’s operational coverage from the Benin border across the western maritime domain, detailing recent initiatives such as Exercise Omi Ailewu and Operation Safe Ember, alongside expanded fleet deployments to curb criminal activity at sea.
He stressed that strengthened naval capacity would ensure safer waters, noting that without security, trade and regulation cannot thrive. He also sought the Council’s collaboration ahead of the Navy’s forthcoming 70th anniversary.
In response, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, described the Navy as a critical partner, observing that about 90 per cent of global trade is transported by sea.
He acknowledged the Navy’s success in tackling piracy and called for closer cooperation to address challenges including Nigeria’s war risk insurance status, port inefficiencies, stowaways and clearance issues affecting barging operations.
With Nigeria advancing under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework, Akutah emphasised the need for enhanced maritime security to reduce freight costs and strengthen competitiveness across African markets, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to sustained collaboration for seamless trade facilitation.