The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) have strengthened inter-agency collaboration to ensure a seamless transition in the management and regulation of inland dry ports across Nigeria. This move aims to streamline maritime operations and expand trade logistics into the country's hinterlands. The development follows a high-level meeting between the management of the NPA and the executive leadership of NPERA at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.
The meeting, convened by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, focused on developing a framework for effective collaboration between the two agencies following recent regulatory reforms in the maritime sector. The Minister had directed the transfer of Inland Dry Ports regulatory functions from NPERA on September 3, 2026, citing a need for a clearer separation of responsibilities covering port regulation, development, and operations.
The directive followed the enactment of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The legislation rebranded and expanded the mandate of the former Nigerian Shippers' Council into NPERA. NPA's Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, congratulated NPERA's Director-General, Dr Pius Akutah, on the enactment of the legislation and reaffirmed NPA's commitment to supporting NPERA in its new institutional role.
Dantsoho stressed the importance of close coordination among agencies operating under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. He said the transition offered an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria's logistics system and improve the movement of cargo from seaports to the hinterland. The transition represents a critical step forward in optimising the national logistics ecosystem, according to Dantsoho.
Akutah underscored the strategic role of NPA in the development and long-term sustainability of Inland Dry Ports, describing effective IDPs as important catalysts for regional trade and the extension of maritime logistics into Nigeria's hinterland. He proposed the establishment of a Joint Inter-Agency Committee in the form of a Technical Working Group to eliminate jurisdictional conflicts and avoid duplication of responsibilities.
The proposed committee would comprise representatives of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NPA, NPERA, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the National Inland Waterways Authority, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation. The committee will identify and resolve potential operational conflicts, streamline administrative procedures, and eliminate duplication of responsibilities across IDP operations nationwide.
The two chief executives reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Minister's policy directives and aligning their institutional frameworks to promote trade facilitation, sustainable economic growth, and greater efficiency in Nigeria's port and logistics system. This collaboration aims to boost trade logistics, eliminate jurisdictional clashes, and improve the overall efficiency of the country's port system.
Key points
- The Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency are collaborating to eliminate jurisdictional clashes and boost trade logistics.
- The collaboration aims to streamline maritime operations and expand trade logistics into Nigeria's hinterlands.
- A Joint Inter-Agency Committee will be established to identify and resolve potential operational conflicts and eliminate duplication of responsibilities.
