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NPERA Act 2026 To End Arbitrary Port Charges, Akutah Says New Law Brings Legal Teeth
By Prince Benson Davies
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, NPERA, Dr. Pius Akutah, has said the newly signed NPERA Act 2026 will put an end to arbitrary charges and introduce a rules-based system for economic regulation in Nigeria’s ports.
Akutah stated this while speaking on the implications of the Act, which was recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said the legislation gives NPERA stronger statutory and enforcement powers to regulate port economic activities and ensure transparency in service delivery.
According to him, under the new law, service providers will no longer be allowed to impose charges for regulated port services without approved tariffs and regulatory procedures. He described the shift as a move away from an era of negotiation and persuasion to one backed by clear legal authority.
The NPERA boss explained that the agency’s mandate goes beyond that of its predecessor, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. While the Council focused mainly on protecting shippers, NPERA is expected to balance the interests of both service users and service providers.
He said the new framework is designed to improve fairness, predictability and investor confidence in the port system. According to him, a transparent regulatory environment will encourage investment and make Nigerian ports more competitive.
Akutah disclosed that NPERA will build on the structures, personnel and institutional experience inherited from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. He added that staff will undergo specialised training to equip them for the agency’s expanded responsibilities.
On implementation, he said an in-house steering committee has been set up, with a ministerial steering committee also in place to support the transition. The agency has also developed 30-day, 90-day and 120-day implementation plans to guide a structured rollout of its mandate.
He identified stakeholder engagement as critical to the success of the new regime. He said NPERA will roll out media campaigns, jingles and stakeholder consultations to educate maritime operators on their obligations under the Act.
Akutah urged operators to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the law and prepare for the new regulatory environment. He assured that the agency will apply its powers fairly and transparently, stressing that the goal is regulation, not persecution.
He listed key activities slated for 2026 to include the gazetting of the Act, a ministerial briefing, commencement of regulatory functions, publication of draft regulations and further stakeholder consultations.
The DG expressed optimism that the new framework will improve efficiency and competitiveness in Nigeria’s ports and increase the contribution of the maritime sector to national economic growth.
