Improving port efficiency and reducing the cost of doing business have emerged as top priorities of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, NPERA as it begins implementation of reforms in Nigeria’s port sector.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NPERA, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima, disclosed this when a delegation of the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners, CONMMEP visited the agency to seek clarification on its mandate, transition process and immediate priorities.

Ukeyima said the agency would focus on improving the efficiency of Nigerian ports, reducing human interaction through digitalisation and automation, lowering costs and strengthening the competitiveness of the country’s maritime sector.

He said the reforms would also address infrastructure and service costs, as well as disputes and other issues affecting activities across the port economy.

According to him, NPERA’s mandate goes beyond that of the former Nigerian Shippers’ Council, which primarily focused on shippers, describing the establishment of the new agency as a fundamental restructuring of the port regulatory framework rather than a mere change of name.

”The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act 2026 repealed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act, Cap N133 of 2004, and established NPERA with a broader mandate covering the port economy, he said.”

Ukeyima said the agency had developed 30, 60 and 90-day targets to guide the transition, followed by milestones for 100 days, one year and beyond.

He explained that the targets were designed to provide a structured roadmap for the agency as it assumes its expanded regulatory responsibilities, while ensuring that stakeholders are carried along in the reform process.

The NPERA boss also disclosed that the Nigeria Ports Authority would take over the inland dry ports promoted by the former Shippers’ Council, following a directive from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

He said discussions with the NPA Managing Director were ongoing on the transition of the facilities.

Ukeyima said Section 51 of the NPERA Act provides for the preservation of existing contracts and unresolved matters during the transition, as well as the continuity of offices and employment of existing appointees and workers.

He said the transition was expected to be completed within the first six months, alongside the development of regulations required to support the agency’s operations.

On enforcement, Ukeyima said the new framework provides for higher penalties, ranging from N500,000 to N20 million, compared with the previous penalties of N300 and N500.

He said the objective was to strengthen deterrence and ensure compliance within the port sector.

Ukeyima further disclosed that the Federal Government was pursuing foreign direct investment and other funding sources for port modernisation, with some projects already before the Federal Executive Council and funds approved for others.

Earlier, CONMMEP President, Udo Onyeka, called for regular engagement between NPERA and the maritime media to promote transparency and provide accurate information on the agency’s activities.

Onyeka said the media needed credible data and regular briefings on issues including logistics costs, port congestion, tariffs and charges, demurrage, shippers’ concerns, digitalisation, the National Single Window, non-oil exports, regional connectivity, security and the development of the blue economy.

He said sustained engagement would enable the media to properly inform the public and maritime stakeholders about the agency’s reforms and their implications for the sector.