The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) have commenced moves to strengthen inter-agency collaboration towards ensuring a seamless transition in the management and regulation of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) across Nigeria.
The development 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 Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, focused on establishing an effective framework for collaboration between the two agencies in the wake of recent regulatory reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The engagement came weeks after the Minister, on September 3, 2026, directed the transfer of Inland Dry Ports regulatory functions from NPERA, as part of efforts by the Federal Government to achieve 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 readiness to support NPERA in its new institutional role, stressing the need for closer coordination among agencies operating under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
According to him, the transition provides an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s logistics architecture 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 agencies would be essential to reducing operational friction, improving port efficiency and unlocking the economic potential of trade across the country.
Earlier, Akutah highlighted the strategic importance of NPA to the development and sustainability of Inland Dry Ports, describing functional 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 building a common understanding among the agencies and other stakeholders to guarantee an uninterrupted and efficient transition in the management of the nation’s Inland Dry Ports.
To prevent jurisdictional conflicts and eliminate duplication of responsibilities, Akutah proposed the establishment of a Joint Inter-Agency Committee in the form of a Technical Working Group.
The proposed committee would 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 is expected to 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 towards improved trade facilitation, sustainable economic growth and greater efficiency in Nigeria’s port and logistics system.
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