The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been challenged to translate its bold reforms in the maritime industry to measurable performance backed by clinical execution that will ensure efficient service delivery to port operators.
This admonition was given by Mr Rotimi Anifowose , the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the NSC at its management retreat in Abeokuta on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.
Anifowose, in his welcome address at the event, noted the bold vision of the Council as embedded in its 2030 strategic planning, saying such vision positions the agency as a credible port Economic Regulator, a technology-enabled institution, a proactive stakeholder partner and a measurable contributor to Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and marine economy development.
However, he warned that if this vision is not backed by performance and clinical execution, it will remain a dream.
“Strategy alone does not create impact, execution does. The difference between institutions that plan and institutions that perform lies in execution discipline” Anifowose observed.
He noted that one of the greatest risk a public institution can take in its strategic execution is to allow fragmentation of information, priorities and accountability.
He advised that under NSC 2030, fragmentation must give way to integration.
According to him, integration means that planning aligns with operations, operations align with regulatory objectives, regulatory outcomes align with stakeholder expectations and performance reporting aligns with measurable results collaboration must therefore be intentional and beyond cordial interaction.
He said innovation must also be deliberate within the Council to enhance regulatory efficiency, strengthen data analytics, simplify stakeholder processes, reduce turnaround times, and improve transparency.
“It must be practical, measurable and outcome-driven” he admonished.
The NSC Director appealed that the agency could not afford to fail and disappoint the stakeholders whose expectations ‘are increasing and government priorities are becoming more performance-driven’
“The demand for efficiency, predictability, and transparency is rising.
” In this environment, execution is not optional, it is essential. If we execute effectively, Stakeholder confidence deepens, Institutional credibility strengthens, regulatory authority becomes respected and our contribution to national economic objectives becomes visible and measurable”
He further warned that if the NSC fails in the execution of its vision, the consequences will be grave that can lead to lose of momentum
“If we fail in execution, even a strong mandate can lose momentum” he noted.
The 2026 NSC management retreat was attended by Chairman of the Board, board members, management staff led by the Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah.
The 5- day event which started on March 4th will end on March 8th, 2026.
