By Benson Daniel
The Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency has commenced operations as the new statutory economic regulator of the country’s ports, with a mandate to promote fair tariffs, strengthen competition and improve efficiency across the maritime sector.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act 2026, which formally establishes a dedicated regulatory framework for the economic activities of Nigeria’s ports. The legislation brings an end to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s long standing role as the interim economic regulator, a responsibility it had exercised since 2014.
The new agency is expected to oversee port tariffs, rates and charges while monitoring competition and licensing port service providers. It will also have responsibilities for resolving commercial disputes and protecting the interests of users of port services.
The establishment of NPERA represents a major change in the structure of Nigeria’s maritime sector, as economic regulation will now be separated from the operational responsibilities of institutions such as the Nigerian Ports Authority.
One of the immediate priorities for the agency is expected to be the promotion of transparent and fair pricing within the port system. High port charges and a lack of clarity around some fees have remained concerns for importers, exporters, shipping companies and other businesses involved in international trade.
A more structured tariff regime is expected to provide greater predictability for businesses and reduce disputes over charges imposed by port service providers.
The agency will also be expected to strengthen competition among operators and prevent practices that could disadvantage port users. Its regulatory responsibilities will cover areas including tariff approval, licensing, competition oversight, consumer protection and commercial dispute resolution.
The transition comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s maritime industry as the government seeks to improve port efficiency, reduce the cost of doing business and increase the contribution of the blue economy to national economic growth.
The new regulatory framework could also improve investor confidence by providing clearer rules for businesses operating within the port ecosystem.
Terminal operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders, importers and exporters are expected to closely monitor the implementation of the Act, particularly the procedures for tariff approvals, licensing and resolution of commercial disputes.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council had previously stressed that effective port regulation requires credible and enforceable laws as well as cooperation from stakeholders. The Council had also identified transparency, competition and predictable regulation as important factors for attracting investment and improving port performance.
With the NPERA Act now in force, attention will shift to the practical implementation of the new regulatory structure, including the transfer of relevant functions from the Shippers’ Council and the development of detailed regulations and tariff frameworks.
The success of the agency will ultimately depend on its ability to balance the interests of port operators and investors with the need to protect businesses and consumers from excessive or unfair charges.
Stakeholders are therefore expecting NPERA to deliver a more transparent, competitive and commercially sustainable port environment capable of supporting Nigeria’s growing international trade.
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