Oyetola Transfers Inland Dry Ports to NPA, Sets Up NPERA Transition Committee

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed that the inland dry port (IDP) functions of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) be transferred to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The move is designed to separate port regulation from development and operations.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola also announced the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the NSC into the newly established Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA). This follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act, 2026.

The Act formally establishes a statutory economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector, ending a two-decade wait. Under the new framework, NPERA will focus on tariff regulation, competition, licensing, service standards, dispute resolution, and protection of port users.

Oyetola emphasized that the credibility of an economic regulator depends on impartiality, free from operational or promotional responsibilities. He assured stakeholders that the transfer of IDPs to NPA is not a downgrade but a step to strengthen their integration into Nigeria’s wider port infrastructure.

“The emergence of NPERA marks a new chapter in port governance. A regulator cannot function as an operator and still be seen as an unbiased referee,” Oyetola said.

The Minister added that the reforms will enhance transparency, strengthen investor confidence, and create a more predictable operating environment for port users and stakeholders nationwide.