The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has announced that the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and is now awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s assent.
The update was disclosed by Dr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary and CEO of the NSC, during a three-day capacity-building retreat in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event, themed “Building Regulatory and Operational Capacity for Middle Management,” marks a key moment in the transition of the Council into a full-fledged port economic regulatory body.
A Milestone in Port Regulation Reform
Dr. Akutah emphasized the significance of the retreat, noting that it comes at a pivotal point in the transformation of the NSC into the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency. According to him, the bill represents a deliberate effort by the Tinubu administration to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime regulatory framework.
“The passage of the bill is a major step toward establishing a stronger, more independent regulatory regime, unlike the current structure,” Dr. Akutah said. “It includes enforceable legal powers, and even provisions for criminal prosecution, where necessary.”
He added that President Tinubu’s creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy reflects his commitment to improving regulation and harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s vast maritime resources.
Ongoing Reforms and Stakeholder Engagement
Despite operating under the current legal framework, Dr. Akutah said the Council has remained proactive by curbing arbitrary charges, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring effective dispute resolution.
“We are not waiting for the bill to become law before we act. We are already laying the foundation for a more efficient regulatory environment,” he noted.
He acknowledged the strong backing of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and support from sister agencies within the ministry.
Preparing for a New Era
Highlighting the importance of staff development, Dr. Akutah urged middle managers to embrace training and re-training as the Council transitions into its new regulatory mandate.
“Middle managers are critical to policy implementation. This retreat is designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to drive change,” he said.
Industry Experts Call for Collaboration
In his remarks, Olurotimi Anifowose, Director of Strategic Planning and Research at NSC, encouraged participants to take the retreat seriously, stressing that excellence is the result of deliberate effort and strategic planning.
Also speaking, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, former Director-General of NIMASA and current National President of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics (CILT), described the middle management staff as the “engine room” of the Council’s operations.
She praised their readiness for the transition and called for increased investment in training, especially in areas such as pricing, marketing, and standard-setting.
“As we await presidential assent, this is the time for collaboration,” Usoro said. “Other agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy must work closely with the Council to achieve the vision behind NPERA.”
