NPERA Launches to Regulate Nigeria's Port Economy

The Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) has officially begun operations as the economic regulator of Nigeria's ports, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's assent to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, 2026. Dr. Ibrahim Shema, Chairman of the NPERA Governing Board, described this as a significant reform in Nigeria's port governance, marking nearly five decades of evolution in port economic regulation.

The agency's responsibilities include regulating port tariffs, licensing, service standards, and trade facilitation, while ensuring fair competition and protecting port users. Dr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO of NPERA, expressed optimism that the agency would clarify the regulatory environment within one to two years, focusing on fair pricing and improving commercial dispute resolution.

The establishment of NPERA signifies a major shift in Nigeria's port governance, creating a dedicated statutory institution separate from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which retains infrastructure responsibilities.