Initially, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, like its counterparts in the sub-region, was mainly concerned with the representation and protection of the interests of importers and exporters with regards to port-to-port cargo shipment. However, as from 1997, the Cotonou II World Bank Round Table Conference on Maritime Trade in West and Central Africa resolved that Shippers’ Councils in the sub-region should protect importers and exporters throughout the transport chain. This became necessary due to the dynamism of the international trade, as underscored by the Conference. Thus as from 1997, the role of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and indeed all its counterparts in the sub-region, was expanded to cover the entire transport chain from door to door