The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has unveiled the newly gazetted Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act 2026, alongside the agency’s official logo, which directs the immediate transition from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The unveiling took place during the third-quarter stakeholders’ and citizens’ engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos.
Oyetola explained that he had directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into NPERA as part of efforts to strengthen port regulation, boost investor confidence and improve Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness.
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“Following President Bola Tinubu’s assent in June 2026, I have directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into NPERA, with a clear mandate to ensure independent, impartial and transparent regulation,” the minister stated.
Oyetola said the establishment of NPERA marked a new chapter in the regulation of Nigeria’s port economy, with the agency expected to promote transparency and create a more competitive environment for maritime businesses and investors.
He said that the Nigerian Government was advancing the modernisation of Apapa, Tin Can Island, Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports, alongside plans to develop six deep seaports in Ibom, Bakassi, Agge, Gateway, Ondo and Bonny.
According to him, the projects are aimed at expanding port capacity and strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional logistics.
Maritime Security
On maritime security, the minister said the country had recorded progress, including zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters and the lifting of the United States Coast Guard’s 12-year Condition of Entry restrictions in August 2026.
Oyetola said the developments demonstrated the government’s commitment to creating safer and more efficient shipping operations.
The minister further disclosed that the government was accelerating access to the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund for qualified indigenous operators to strengthen local participation in the maritime industry.
Deepening Strategic Partnerships
He noted that Nigeria was deepening strategic partnerships with countries including Denmark, India, Norway and the United Kingdom to support the development of the sector.
“We remain committed to building a transparent, competitive and investment-friendly maritime sector that creates opportunities, strengthens local capacity and drives sustainable growth in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy,” Oyetola stated.
Meanwhile, The Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Nigeria, Jens Hansen, did a presentation on Denmark’s Experience in Building a Sustainable Blue Economy: Lessons for Strategic Partnerships, Investment and Technology Transfer with Nigeria.
