The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) have begun steps to ensure a smooth transition in the management and regulation of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) across Nigeria.
The move followed a high-level meeting between the management of the NPA and the executive leadership of NPERA at the NPA headquarters in Lagos.
The meeting, convened at the instance of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, focused on strengthening inter-agency cooperation following recent regulatory changes in the maritime sector.
The development comes weeks after Oyetola directed, on September 3, 2026, the transfer of Inland Dry Ports regulatory functions from NPERA, citing the need for clearer separation of responsibilities covering port regulation, development and operations.
The directive followed the enactment of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, which was recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and transformed the former Nigerian Shippers’ Council into NPERA.
Receiving the NPERA delegation, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, congratulated NPERA Director-General/CEO, Dr Pius Akutah, on the new legislation.
Dantsoho reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to supporting NPERA in its new institutional role, stressing the need for closer coordination among agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He said the transition could help strengthen Nigeria’s logistics system and improve cargo movement 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 help reduce operational friction, improve port efficiency and unlock the economic potential of trade across the country.
Akutah, in his remarks, highlighted the strategic role of the NPA in the development and sustainability of Inland Dry Ports, describing the facilities as important channels for regional trade and the extension of maritime logistics into the hinterland.
He said the NPERA delegation’s visit was aimed at building a common understanding among the agencies and stakeholders to ensure an uninterrupted transition in the management of IDPs.
To prevent jurisdictional conflicts and 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, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
According to Akutah, the committee would identify and resolve potential operational conflicts, streamline administrative procedures and eliminate overlapping responsibilities in Inland Dry Port operations nationwide.
The two agencies subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the ministerial directives and aligning their institutional frameworks to promote trade facilitation, sustainable economic growth and greater efficiency in Nigeria’s port and logistics system.
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