Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The newly signed Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026 will restore investor confidence and place Nigeria’s maritime sector on a stronger path of transparency, competitiveness and productivity, the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has said.
MARCON, in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday and signed by its General Secretary, Olamide Osho, described the new law as a landmark institutional reform capable of ending years of regulatory uncertainty in the nation’s port sector.
The organisation said the Presidential assent to the long-awaited legislation had provided a dedicated statutory framework for the economic regulation of Nigerian ports, replacing the interim arrangement under which the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) had operated since 2014.
“This is a landmark development for Nigeria’s maritime industry. The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act will strengthen oversight of tariffs, rates, charges, competition and service standards,” MARCON stated.
According to the organisation, the Act gives the regulator clear legal powers to protect shippers, ensure fair commercial practices and resolve disputes effectively, describing these as essential foundations for attracting serious investment, reducing the cost of doing business and improving port productivity.
MARCON also commended the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, for his sustained advocacy and leadership in ensuring that the legislation became a reality.
The association acknowledged Dr. Akutah’s consistent engagement with stakeholders and determination throughout the complex legislative process, during which the Bill underwent revisions, repassage by the National Assembly and eventual Presidential assent.
“Dr. Akutah’s dedication to institutional reform and his unwavering focus on strengthening the regulatory framework for Nigerian ports deserve recognition,” the statement said.
“His efforts have helped bring to fruition a reform that stakeholders across the industry have long demanded.”
MARCON expressed optimism that the full and timely implementation of the NPERA Act would lead to measurable improvements in port efficiency, greater predictability for investors and operators, and stronger alignment of Nigeria’s port system with global best practices.
The association therefore urged relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders to support the smooth transition and operationalisation of the new regulatory regime in the interest of national economic growth and the blue economy agenda.
The organisation noted that the new law gives full legal backing to economic regulatory functions previously performed on an interim basis by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council since 2014, following the commencement of the 2006 port concession programme.
It said the NSC had previously relied largely on government policy and a 2015 gazette rather than a comprehensive Act to perform its economic regulatory functions.
Under the new framework, NPERA will focus on economic regulation, including tariffs, charges, competition, licensing of service providers and commercial dispute resolution, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will continue in its role as landlord and technical/operational regulator.
MARCON said the expected benefits of the new regulatory regime include a stronger and enforceable regulatory framework, better control of tariffs, rates and charges, promotion of fair competition, improved licensing and standards for service providers, and more effective commercial dispute resolution.
It added that the Act was also expected to promote greater transparency and predictability, strengthen investor confidence, improve efficiency, reduce logistics costs and enhance protection for port users.
According to MARCON, the law will further safeguard the economic interests of shippers and cargo owners while contributing to a more credible and competitive port environment capable of positioning Nigeria as a stronger regional maritime and logistics hub.
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