In a bold move to transform Nigeria’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) is set to enter a strategic alliance with the British Ports Association, aimed at boosting operational efficiency and aligning with global best practices.
Chairman of NPCC, Bolaji Sunmola, revealed the plan during the council’s quarterly meeting held in Lagos on Friday. The session also marked the inauguration of the council’s first-ever Board of Trustees and was themed “Digital Information and Data Management for a Sustainable Marine and Blue Economy.”
Sunmola announced that a delegation from the council would soon embark on a working visit to London to explore innovative port management solutions and foster bilateral knowledge exchange. Emphasizing the central role of seaports in national development, he described inefficiencies at port entry points as direct threats to economic productivity and investor confidence.
“Every inefficiency at the port gate ripples across our national productivity. Every delay in customs processing translates to a loss of revenue. Every misalignment in our regulatory framework weakens investors’ confidence,” Sunmola said. “But every solution we build together brings us one step closer to transforming Nigeria into a regional maritime powerhouse.”
He underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, adding that the NPCC serves as a vital bridge connecting policy to practice. With the inauguration of the council’s pioneer Board of Trustees, he said the NPCC is reinforcing its foundation with experience, strategic insight, and governance.
The newly appointed Vice Chairman of the council, Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), echoed Sunmola’s optimism, noting that the NPCC has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Ports Authority as part of its structural overhaul.
“Our registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission lends the council legal and operational credibility. We’ve also revitalized our website and restructured the NPCC secretariat to improve stakeholder engagement,” Anishere stated.
She added that the council is extending its collaborative efforts, forging ties with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, and engaging with prominent bodies such as the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
In a show of global ambition, Anishere revealed that the NPCC has secured a stand at the 2025 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, signaling its readiness to network on the world stage.
Also speaking at the event, Thompson Akpabio, representing the Director-General of the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), encouraged the NPCC’s Board of Trustees to be proactive in shaping legislation that fosters port reform.
“The NPCC should be a driving force in maritime policy discourse and legislative advocacy, incorporating insights from workers, unions, and operators to ensure well-rounded reforms,” he said. He reaffirmed NECA’s support in working closely with the council to build a more efficient port environment.
Highlighting the pressing need for tech integration, Professor Bamidele Badejo of Lagos State University presented a paper on the critical role of digital data systems in unlocking Nigeria’s marine potential. He flagged poor data governance and security concerns as key bottlenecks in marine and blue economy development.
“Balancing the need for open data access with concerns around national security and proprietary rights is one of the biggest challenges we face today,” Badejo noted.
The newly inaugurated NPCC Board of Trustees includes respected industry figures such as former Nigerian Shippers’ Council boss, Hassan Bello; CEO of Lelook Bags Academy, Chinwe Ezenwa; Muhammed Bambado; Alhaji Abayomi Adigun; Bello Gwandu; Bolaji Sunmola; and Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN). Their inauguration was officiated by retired Justice Folashade Bankole Oki.
