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Economic Growth: NPERA Seeks Stronger Govt-Private Sector Collaboration
By prince Benson Davies
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, MON, has called for stronger indigenous participation, increased investment in technology and the promotion of home-grown initiatives to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.
Dr. Akutah made the call when he received a delegation from Dangote Industries Limited on a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos, noting that sustainable economic development can only be achieved through closer collaboration between government and local businesses.
According to him, Nigeria must deepen local engagement and encourage initiatives that are capable of addressing the country’s economic challenges, while also investing massively in technology to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness across sectors.
He stressed that greater attention should be given to Africa’s development through technology-driven solutions, adding that innovation remains key to addressing existing inefficiencies and creating new opportunities for growth.
The NPERA boss also underscored the need for reforms that would improve the efficiency of existing systems and make the Nigerian business environment more competitive for both local and foreign investors.
He explained that the Federal Government’s efforts to grow the economy, including measures to increase oil exports and create employment opportunities, would yield greater impact when complemented by strong local initiatives and sustained private sector investment.
Akutah urged stakeholders to identify and support opportunities that can unlock Nigeria’s untapped economic potential, noting that stronger partnerships between regulators and businesses would be critical to achieving long-term sustainable development.
Earlier, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was represented by the Managing Director, Dangote Operations, Mr. Akin Omole, expressed the Group’s support for the establishment of NPERA as an economic regulator.
The delegation also pledged continued support for the development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, describing the sector as critical to strengthening the nation’s economic growth and diversification agenda.
According to the team, investments by the Dangote Group are already contributing to a gradual shift in Nigeria’s trade profile from import dependence towards greater export capacity, particularly through the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and its three-million-tonne fertiliser plant.
The Group said the investments are positioning Nigeria as an emerging exporter of refined petroleum products and fertiliser, while strengthening the country’s participation in international trade and improving its foreign exchange earnings.
It noted that it expects NPERA to provide a regulatory environment in which tariffs and service standards are transparent, sustainable and globally competitive.
The delegation urged the Agency to balance the interests of operators and government while ensuring that regulatory measures contribute to reducing the cost of doing business at the ports.
It expressed confidence that effective regulation and continued private sector investment would support the growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy and further strengthen the country’s overall economic development.
