<\/p>\n
The Maritime Maritime Journalist’ Association of Nigeria MAJAN,has described the newly signed Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026 as a game changer that will significantly boost investor confidence and set the nation\u2019s ports on the path of increased productivity, transparency and competitiveness.<\/p>\n
NPERA Act To Strengthen Investor Confidence, Drive Maritime Sector Growth \u2014 MAJAN
\n…..thumps up Akutah<\/p>\n
The Maritime Maritime Journalist’ Association of Nigeria MAJAN,has described the newly signed Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026 as a game changer that will significantly boost investor confidence and set the nation\u2019s ports on the path of increased productivity, transparency and competitiveness.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday ,MAJAN noted that the Presidential assent to the long-awaited legislation marks a decisive end to years of regulatory uncertainty that had hindered optimal performance in the port sector.<\/p>\n
According to the statement ,by its Public Relations Officer ( PRO), Frank Odinukaeze,the organisation described the Act as a critical institutional reform that finally provides a dedicated statutory framework for economic regulation of Nigeria\u2019s ports, replacing the interim arrangement under which the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council (NSC) had operated since 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a landmark development for Nigeria\u2019s maritime industry. The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act will strengthen oversight of tariffs, rates, charges, competition and service standards. It will give the regulator clear legal powers to protect shippers, ensure fair commercial practices and resolve disputes effectively. These are the foundations needed to attract serious investment, reduce the cost of doing business and improve overall port productivity\u201d, MAJAN stated.<\/p>\n
The association specifically Hailed the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, for his sustained commitment and leadership in seeing the law become a reality.<\/p>\n
It acknowledged Dr. Akutah\u2019s consistent advocacy, stakeholder engagement and determination in navigating the complex legislative process that saw the Bill undergo revisions, repassage by the National Assembly and eventual Presidential assent.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Akutah\u2019s dedication to institutional reform and his unwavering focus on strengthening the regulatory framework for Nigerian ports deserve recognition,\u201d the statement added. \u201cHis efforts have helped bring to fruition a reform that stakeholders across the industry have long demanded.\u201d<\/p>\n
MAJAN expressed optimism that the full and timely implementation of the NPERA Act will translate into measurable improvements in port efficiency, greater predictability for investors and operators, and stronger alignment of Nigeria\u2019s port system with global best practices.<\/p>\n
The association called on all relevant agencies and 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.<\/p>\n
The law gives full legal backing to the functions previously performed on an interim basis by the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council (NSC) since 2014 after the 2006 port concessions began. The NSC had relied largely on government policy and a 2015 gazette rather than a comprehensive Act.<\/p>\n
NPERA focuses on economic regulation \u2014 tariffs, charges, competition, licensing of service providers, and commercial dispute resolution, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) continues as the landlord and technical\/operational regulator.<\/p>\n
MAJAN suggested that the role of the port economic regulator should be streamlined to avoid overlapping functions with other agencies, especially the NPA.<\/p>\n
Expected key benefits of NPERA include stronger, enforceable regulatory framework; better control of tariffs, rates, and charges; promotion of fair competition; licensing and standards for service providers; effective commercial dispute resolution; greater transparency, predictability, and investor confidence; efficiency gains and lower logistics costs and protection of port users and support for national objectives.<\/p>\n
It is also expected to safeguards the economic interests of shippers and cargo owners while contributing to a more credible, competitive port environment that can position Nigeria as a stronger regional maritime and logistics hub.
\nIn a statement issued in Lagos on Monday ,MAJAN noted that the Presidential assent to the long-awaited legislation marks a decisive end to years of regulatory uncertainty that had hindered optimal performance in the port sector.<\/p>\n
According to the statement ,by its Public Relations Officer ( PRO), Frank Odinukaeze,the organisation described the Act as a critical institutional reform that finally provides a dedicated statutory framework for economic regulation of Nigeria\u2019s ports, replacing the interim arrangement under which the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council (NSC) had operated since 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a landmark development for Nigeria\u2019s maritime industry. The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act will strengthen oversight of tariffs, rates, charges, competition and service standards. It will give the regulator clear legal powers to protect shippers, ensure fair commercial practices and resolve disputes effectively. These are the foundations needed to attract serious investment, reduce the cost of doing business and improve overall port productivity\u201d, MAJAN stated.<\/p>\n
The association specifically Hailed the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, for his sustained commitment and leadership in seeing the law become a reality.<\/p>\n
It acknowledged Dr. Akutah\u2019s consistent advocacy, stakeholder engagement and determination in navigating the complex legislative process that saw the Bill undergo revisions, repassage by the National Assembly and eventual Presidential assent.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Akutah\u2019s dedication to institutional reform and his unwavering focus on strengthening the regulatory framework for Nigerian ports deserve recognition,\u201d the statement added. \u201cHis efforts have helped bring to fruition a reform that stakeholders across the industry have long demanded.\u201d<\/p>\n
MAJAN expressed optimism that the full and timely implementation of the NPERA Act will translate into measurable improvements in port efficiency, greater predictability for investors and operators, and stronger alignment of Nigeria\u2019s port system with global best practices.<\/p>\n
The association called on all relevant agencies and 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.<\/p>\n
The law gives full legal backing to the functions previously performed on an interim basis by the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council (NSC) since 2014 after the 2006 port concessions began. The NSC had relied largely on government policy and a 2015 gazette rather than a comprehensive Act.<\/p>\n
NPERA focuses on economic regulation \u2014 tariffs, charges, competition, licensing of service providers, and commercial dispute resolution, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) continues as the landlord and technical\/operational regulator.<\/p>\n
MAJAN suggested that the role of the port economic regulator should be streamlined to avoid overlapping functions with other agencies, especially the NPA.<\/p>\n
Expected key benefits of NPERA include stronger, enforceable regulatory framework; better control of tariffs, rates, and charges; promotion of fair competition; licensing and standards for service providers; effective commercial dispute resolution; greater transparency, predictability, and investor confidence; efficiency gains and lower logistics costs and protection of port users and support for national objectives.<\/p>\n
It is also expected to safeguards the economic interests of shippers and cargo owners while contributing to a more credible, competitive port environment that can position Nigeria as a stronger regional maritime and logistics hub.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Maritime Maritime Journalist’ Association of Nigeria MAJAN,has described the newly signed Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026 as a game changer that will significantly boost investor confidence and set the...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t