Nigerian Shippers’ Council Opens Middle‑Managers Retreat To Boost Leadership, Performance
By Roland Ekama
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Thursday opened a four‑day Operational Retreat for Grade Level 12–14 officers, an initiative the Council says will fast‑track leadership development, strengthen performance management and ensure better implementation of strategic reforms.
Speaking in Ogun State, Executive Secretary/CEO Akutah Pius Ukeyima said the retreat — themed “Middle Managers as Catalysts for Excellence and Innovation: Building the Next Generation of Leaders for Institutional Transformation and Sustainable Growth” — is an investment in succession planning, institutional capacity and the Council’s Strategic Plan 2025–2029.
According to him, “The retreat is more than a training programme. It is an investment in leadership development, succession planning, institutional capacity building, and the future of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council,”
Akutah described middle managers as the “vital link between policy formulation and implementation,” stressing that effective execution at that level will turn strategy into measurable results.
Middle class manager of Nigerian Shippers Council in a group photograph with the Executive Secretary,NSC Dr Pius Akutah in Ogun State on Thursday
Benefits for participants and the organisation
Leadership pipeline, the Executive Secretary noted that the retreat prepares Grade 12–14 officers for higher responsibilities, cultivating future assistant directors, deputy directors and directors.
While harping on improved execution, Akutah added that sessions will focus on translating strategic plans and retreat resolutions into departmental work plans and individual Performance Management System (PMS) targets..
“Retreat Governance and Performance Management Policy” will guide planning, monitoring and follow‑up, ensuring retreat outcomes feed directly into organizational KPIs and implementation scorecards.
Skills and innovation:
“Emphasis on continuous learning, digital adoption and process improvement aims to equip officers with practical skills for trade facilitation reforms, the National Single Window project and other modernization efforts.
On accountability and integrity: the NSC boss pointed out that ‘the retreat reinforces discipline, professional conduct and ethical stewardship to strengthen public confidence in the Council.
Akutah announced the adoption of a Retreat Governance and Performance Management Policy that assigns oversight to his office, technical leadership to the Strategic Planning and Research Department (SPRD) and coordination duties to Human Resources Management Department (HRMD).
The policy , he stated establishes a Retreat Steering Committee, an implementation scorecard, periodic reporting and integration of retreat resolutions into departmental plans and PMS targets.
“Accordingly, all approved retreat resolutions, communiqués, and action points shall be incorporated into departmental work plans and performance assessment frameworks, with clearly assigned responsibilities, timelines, performance indicators, and reporting obligations,” the Executive Secretary said.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director, Strategic Planning and Research Department NSC , Rotimi Anifowose welcomed participants and urged them to engage actively. In remarks that combined personal reflection with a charge to middle managers,
The Director reiterated the retreat’s role in renewing commitment to professionalism, accountability and mentorship, and encouraged continuous learning and service‑oriented leadership.
The retreat runs from 24 to 27 June 2026.