Nigerian Government Restructures Port Management System

The Nigerian government is initiating a restructuring of its port governance system, specifically transferring certain inland dry port functions from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA). This decision follows directives from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola.

The restructuring aims to eliminate overlapping functions among various agencies, including the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). NPERA, established as the economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector, will take on responsibilities such as regulating port tariffs, promoting competition, and protecting port users.

Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister, stated that this clearer separation of responsibilities is intended to enhance regulatory independence and create a more predictable environment for stakeholders. The establishment of NPERA is seen as an opportunity to avoid conflicts of interest and improve the efficiency of inland dry ports, which are crucial for businesses located away from coastal areas.