NSC Recovers ₦197 Billion for Shippers in 2025, Resolves 108 Complaints
NSC Recovers ₦197bn for Nigerian Shippers Amid Port Dispute Resolution
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it recovered more than ₦197 billion for shippers and port users in 2025 through regulatory interventions and dispute resolution mechanisms within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The recovery was disclosed in Lagos by the council’s Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah, who said the funds were retrieved following the resolution of complaints lodged by port users against shipping companies and their agents.
According to the council, 183 complaints were filed throughout 2025, out of which 108 were successfully resolved, leading to the significant financial recoveries for importers, exporters and other maritime stakeholders.
Disputes Driven by Shipping Charges and Container Deposits
The NSC said most complaints stemmed from disputes involving arbitrary shipping charges, delayed container deposit refunds, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation errors.
Akutah explained that the council addressed many of the cases through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, which aims to quickly resolve disputes between port users and service providers without lengthy legal proceedings.
Quarterly Breakdown of Recoveries
The council provided a breakdown of recoveries across the four quarters of 2025:
First Quarter (Q1): 41 complaints received, 22 resolved, with recoveries of over ₦62.8 million and $15,964 (about ₦24.4 million).
Second Quarter (Q2): 40 complaints received, 21 resolved, leading to the highest recovery of over ₦175.8 billion and $30,000.
Third Quarter (Q3): 46 complaints received, 26 resolved, with ₦2.059 billion recovered.
Fourth Quarter (Q4): 56 complaints received, 39 resolved, with ₦16.3 million and $39,779 recovered.
The second quarter recorded the largest recovery, accounting for the bulk of the funds retrieved during the year.
Strengthening Regulation in Nigeria’s Ports
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, established in 1978, serves as a government agency responsible for protecting the interests of importers and exporters involved in maritime trade.
In 2014, the Federal Government designated the council as the Port Economic Regulator, granting it authority to oversee tariffs, monitor service providers and resolve disputes in Nigeria’s ports.
Push for More Efficient Port Operations
The council urged port users and maritime stakeholders to continue reporting service infractions to enable timely regulatory action and improve transparency in port operations.
The development comes amid broader federal government efforts to reform Nigeria’s port system, including plans to reduce cargo clearance time to less than seven days by 2026 and position Nigerian ports among the most efficient trade gateways in Africa.
