Tinubu signs NPERA Bill into law, clearing way for new port regulator

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill, 2026, into law, paving the way for a dedicated economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, announced this in a post on Facebook, thanking the President for approving the law.

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“Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026. Thank you Mr President for making it a reality,” Akutah wrote.

The new law is expected to strengthen the regulation of economic activities at Nigerian ports, including tariffs, charges, competition, licensing of port service providers and commercial disputes.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has served as the interim economic regulator of the ports since 2014, pending the creation of a statutory regulatory body.

The NPERA Bill had faced delays and concerns over possible overlaps with the functions of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The National Assembly reviewed and amended the Bill after President Tinubu withheld assent to an earlier version. The amended Bill was passed again in April 2026.

With the President’s assent, attention will now turn to the implementation of the new law, including the transition from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to NPERA and the agency’s structure and powers.