By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has commenced a four-day operational retreat for officers on Grade Levels 12 to 14 as part of efforts to strengthen leadership capacity, improve performance and accelerate institutional reforms.
The retreat, holding in Abeokuta, is designed to equip middle-level managers with the skills and knowledge required to assume higher leadership responsibilities while advancing the Council’s transformation agenda.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Ukeyima Akutah, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership development, succession planning and organisational growth.
Held under the theme, “Middle Managers as Catalysts for Excellence and Innovation,” the retreat brings together officers regarded as critical to the Council’s future, preparing them for senior leadership positions, including Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors and Directors.
According to Akutah, the initiative aligns with the Council’s Strategic Plan 2025–2029 and is aimed at building a stronger, more resilient institution capable of delivering effectively on its statutory mandate.
He noted that middle managers occupy a pivotal position within the organisation, serving as the bridge between policy formulation and implementation. Their ability to translate strategy into action, he said, is essential to achieving the Council’s corporate objectives.
“The retreat is more than a training programme. It is an investment in leadership development, institutional capacity and the future of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council,” Akutah stated.
A major highlight of the retreat was the unveiling of the Council’s Retreat Governance and Performance Management Policy, a new framework designed to ensure that decisions and resolutions reached during retreats are fully implemented and translated into measurable institutional outcomes.
Under the policy, the Office of the Executive Secretary will provide implementation oversight, while the Strategic Planning and Research Department (SPRD) will provide technical leadership. The Human Resources Management Department will coordinate activities arising from the retreat to ensure effective implementation across the organisation.
The framework also establishes a Retreat Steering Committee, introduces performance scorecards and reporting mechanisms, and mandates that approved resolutions and action points be incorporated into departmental work plans and staff performance evaluation systems.
Akutah explained that the policy represents a significant shift from retreats being largely discussion-oriented to becoming result-driven engagements that directly support the Council’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and broader institutional objectives.
Earlier, the Director of the Strategic Planning and Research Department, Mr. Olurotimi Anifowose, urged participants to maximise the opportunity by embracing professionalism, innovation and continuous learning.
He emphasised that accountability, mentorship and capacity building remain critical to strengthening the Council’s resilience, enhancing service delivery and ensuring sustainable institutional success.
Anifowose also described the retreat as a platform for personal development, leadership enhancement and organisational renewal, encouraging participants to actively contribute ideas and practical solutions that would support the Council’s ongoing reform agenda.
The retreat, which commenced on Thursday, will conclude on Saturday, with participants expected to develop practical strategies and actionable recommendations aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening institutional performance and advancing the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s transformation agenda.
