Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has thrown its weight behind calls for the removal of Nigeria from the global War Risk Insurance (WRI) list, insisting that the classification is unjustified and economically harmful.
Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius MON, made this position clear while hosting a delegation from the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the Council’s headquarters in Lagos.
“Does Nigeria have any business being in the war risk zone?” Akutah asked pointedly, citing the absence of terrorist attacks in Nigerian waters for the past three years. He argued that the label forces Nigerian-bound vessels to pay unnecessary premiums, inflating port costs and hurting trade competitiveness.
Akutah lauded MARAN’s consistency in advocating reforms and cost reduction in the maritime industry, describing the 2025 MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) theme Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade” as both timely and vital.
“We are partners, and I can tell you the contribution your association is bringing to the table. We are very proud of what you are doing,” he said, pledging NSC’s active participation in the conference.
He further noted that Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is already championing Nigeria’s removal from the WRI list but stressed the need for industry-wide advocacy, beyond government action, to achieve the goal.
Earlier, MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, commended the Council’s efforts to address port challenges and urged collaboration with the United African Shippers’ Council (UASC) and Global Shippers Forum (GSF) to drive the campaign globally.