The Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) has formally commenced operations, introducing a new regulatory framework aimed at making Nigeria’s ports more transparent, competitive, predictable and efficient.
The agency’s take-off follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, 2026. The legislation establishes NPERA as the statutory authority responsible for the economic regulation of Nigeria’s ports. Chairman of the NPERA Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shema, said the development represents the latest stage in nearly five decades of institutional evolution in port economic regulation.
Shema traced the process to the establishment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in 1978 and the concessioning of port terminals in 2006. The Council was subsequently designated as the interim Port Economic Regulator in 2014 and performed functions including tariff regulation, dispute resolution and protection of port users.
According to Shema, the establishment of NPERA represents a fundamental reform of Nigeria’s port governance structure. He clarified that the new agency would not compete with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which remains responsible for port infrastructure and its landlord functions.
“This is not about creating competing authorities. It is about establishing a coherent system in which institutions work together, each within its statutory responsibilities,” he said.
The NPERA port regulation framework is expected to focus on reducing uncertainty and unnecessary regulatory barriers affecting port operations. Shema said the agency would also promote faster cargo movement and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a trading and investment destination. He identified transparency, fairness, predictability, efficiency and accountability as the five principles underpinning NPERA’s regulatory approach.
On port tariffs, Shema said the new framework would provide port users with clearer information about the basis for regulated charges. Service providers, he added, would also have clearer expectations concerning regulatory compliance and requirements. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary/CEO of NPERA, Dr. Pius Akutah, expressed optimism that the legislation would significantly clarify Nigeria’s port regulatory environment within the next one to two years.
Akutah said the agency would pursue fair pricing, stronger competition, improved trade facilitation and increased government revenue. He added that the NPERA Act gives the agency enhanced powers to resolve commercial disputes and protect the interests and welfare of port users and other stakeholders.
For operators, importers, exporters and other port users, the new framework is expected to provide greater clarity around tariffs, charges, licensing, service standards and commercial disputes. The commencement of NPERA therefore marks a structural change in the economic regulation of Nigeria’s maritime sector, with the agency expected to work alongside existing port institutions within their respective statutory responsibilities.
