The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) for his impact in Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly in the area of port economic regulation and institutional development.
The award acknowledges Akutah’s professional journey from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to his emergence as the pioneer head of NPERA, where he now leads the country’s dedicated port economic regulatory agency.
Akutah was appointed Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council on October 25, 2023, after serving as Head of the Central Authority Unit, International Cooperation Department, in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
His transition to the maritime sector brought with it extensive experience in international cooperation in criminal matters, including extradition and mutual legal assistance. He has taught the subject in several countries under the auspices of the United Nations and Commonwealth Office, London, and has handled major extradition and mutual legal assistance matters involving Nigeria.
At the NSC, Akutah was involved in the development and strengthening of the port economic regulatory framework, experience that has continued to shape his work as pioneer DG/CEO of NPERA.
His professional record also includes drafting and negotiating bilateral agreements on extradition and mutual legal assistance, while his broader expertise covers mobile and computer forensics.
Akutah holds a PhD in International Cooperation in Criminal Matters from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, a Master’s degree in Public International Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an LLB from the University of Abuja.
He is a recipient of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and Presidential Civil Service Merit Award, among other honours, and is an alumnus of the United States Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
Beyond institutional regulation, his maritime-sector engagement has included interaction with industry stakeholders and contributions to the resolution of issues within the maritime space. His emphasis on stakeholder engagement and collaborative approaches to regulation has also featured in his professional engagement with the industry.
Chairman of the MARCON Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the award reflects Akutah’s years of service and contribution to institutional development in Nigeria.
“Dr Akutah’s recognition is a reflection of the impact of his years of service to Nigeria’s maritime sector and his contribution to the development of a stronger economic regulatory framework for the ports. MARCON considers the award a fitting acknowledgement of a career that has combined professional commitment, institutional development and service to the industry,” Ogbuokiri said.
He added that Akutah’s emergence as the pioneer DG/CEO of NPERA marks an important phase in Nigeria’s port regulatory development, while the award also acknowledges his contribution to strengthening institutions within the maritime sector.
The award was presented during the 2026 MARCON Conference on Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria, held on Wednesday, September 30, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The conference, themed “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods,” brought together policymakers, regulators, maritime industry operators, researchers and other stakeholders to examine pathways for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s fisheries sector.