Nigeria’s port sector is set for a major restructuring following the transfer of Inland Dry Port (IDP) responsibilities from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in a move aimed at strengthening regulation, eliminating overlapping functions and improving efficiency across the maritime industry.
The development was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who also disclosed the immediate inauguration of a Ministerial Committee to supervise the transition of the NSC into the newly established Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).
According to the minister, the transition follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026, which formally establishes Nigeria’s first statutory economic regulator for the ports sector after years of policy discussions.
Announcing the reforms, Oyetola said: “In furtherance of our ongoing reforms, I have directed the transfer of the Inland Dry Port (IDP) functions of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as part of our efforts to establish a clear separation between port economic regulation, development and operations.”
He added: “I have also directed the immediate constitution of a Ministerial Committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the newly established Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act, 2026.”
The minister described the new law as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s maritime sector, noting that it finally creates a permanent economic regulator for the country’s ports after nearly two decades of efforts.
He explained that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, which has served as the nation’s interim port economic regulator since 2014, will now transform into NPERA under the new legal framework.
According to Oyetola, the agency’s mandate will centre on economic regulation, including the oversight of port tariffs and charges, promotion of fair competition, licensing of operators, enforcement of service standards, commercial dispute resolution and protection of port users.
Explaining the rationale behind the restructuring, the minister stressed the need to separate regulatory responsibilities from operational functions.
“We must get this transition right. The credibility and effectiveness of an economic regulator depend, in part, on its ability to function as an impartial referee without responsibilities that could create actual or perceived conflicts of interest. A regulator cannot function as an operator and, at the same time, be expected to be perceived as an unbiased referee.”
He said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is committed to ensuring that all agencies under its supervision operate within clearly defined mandates.
“Our objective is to ensure that agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy operate within clearly defined mandates, eliminating overlapping responsibilities while strengthening transparency and creating a more predictable operating environment for port users, investors, terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.”
On the decision to transfer Inland Dry Port functions to the Nigerian Ports Authority, Oyetola expressed confidence that the move would improve the development and integration of inland ports into Nigeria’s broader port system.
“The transfer of IDP functions to the NPA will strengthen our inland dry ports by placing their promotion within an institution better positioned to integrate the facilities into our wider port infrastructure and operational network.”
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth implementation of the reforms, describing the establishment of NPERA as the beginning of a new era in port administration and governance.
“The emergence of NPERA marks a new chapter in the governance of Nigeria’s port sector. We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition and building a more efficient, integrated and competitive port system that serves the entire country.”
The reforms are expected to redefine institutional roles within Nigeria’s maritime industry, with the NPA focusing on port infrastructure and Inland Dry Port development, while NPERA assumes responsibility as the country’s independent economic regulator.