NPERA strategises with NPA on smooth handover of Inland Dry Ports

 

 

Maureen Aguta

 

In a major move to streamline maritime operations and expand trade logistics into Nigeria’s hinterlands, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) have moved to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to ensure a seamless transition in the management and regulation of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) across the country.

 

The move followed a high-level meeting between the management of the NPA and the executive leadership of NPERA at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.

 

The meeting, convened at the instance of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, focused on developing a framework for effective collaboration between the two agencies following recent regulatory reforms in the maritime sector.

 

The development came barely weeks after the Minister, on September 3, 2026, directed the transfer of Inland Dry Ports regulatory functions from NPERA, explaining that the Federal Government was seeking a clearer separation of responsibilities covering port regulation, development and operations.

 

The directive followed the enactment of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

Receiving the NPERA delegation, the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, congratulated the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NPERA, Dr. Pius Akutah, on the enactment of the legislation, which rebranded and expanded the mandate of the former Nigerian Shippers’ Council into NPERA.

 

Dantsoho reaffirmed NPA’s commitment to supporting NPERA in its new institutional role, stressing the importance of close coordination among agencies operating under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

 

He said the transition offered an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s logistics system and improve the movement of cargo from seaports to the hinterland.

 

“This transition represents a critical step forward in optimising our national logistics ecosystem,” Dantsoho said.

 

He added that greater alignment between the sister agencies would be crucial to eliminating operational friction, improving port efficiency and unlocking the economic potential of trade across the country.

 

Speaking earlier, Akutah underscored the strategic role of NPA in the development and long-term sustainability of Inland Dry Ports, describing effective IDPs as important catalysts for regional trade and the extension of maritime logistics into Nigeria’s hinterland.

 

“The Nigerian Ports Authority remains a cornerstone in ensuring our Inland Dry Ports function as effective centres for cargo transit and distribution to the hinterlands,” Akutah said.

 

He explained that the visit was aimed at establishing a common understanding among the agencies and other stakeholders to ensure an uninterrupted and efficient transition in the management of the nation’s Inland Dry Ports.

 

To forestall jurisdictional conflicts and avoid duplication of responsibilities, Akutah proposed the establishment of a Joint Inter-Agency Committee in the form of a Technical Working Group.

 

The proposed committee will comprise representatives of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NPA, NPERA, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

 

The committee, according to Akutah, will identify and resolve potential operational conflicts, streamline administrative procedures and eliminate duplication of responsibilities across Inland Dry Port operations nationwide.

 

The two chief executives subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Minister’s policy directives and aligning their institutional frameworks to promote trade facilitation, sustainable economic growth and greater efficiency in Nigeria’s port and logistics system.