The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act 2026 – From Shippers’ Council to NPERA 2026: Reshaping the economic regulation of Nigerian ports
After decades of operating under a framework that many industry players considered outdated, Nigeria's port sector now has a brand new legal backbone. The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act 2026, known as the NPERA Act, has officially come into force, replacing the old Shippers' Council structure with a purpose-built economic regulator for the country's ports.
The shift is more than a name change. The NPERA Act creates a dedicated agency whose core mandate is economic regulation, meaning it will oversee pricing, tariffs, and the commercial conditions that govern how Nigerian ports operate. This is the kind of focused institutional muscle that trade and logistics stakeholders have been asking for, and it signals a serious intention to bring port governance in line with international standards.
For shippers, freight forwarders, terminal operators, and anyone who moves goods through Nigerian ports, this new framework changes the rules of engagement. The agency is expected to set clearer guidelines around port charges and ensure that economic decisions in the sector are made with greater accountability and transparency.
The story of how Nigeria got here, from the Nigerian Shippers' Council to NPERA, is one worth watching closely. As the agency moves from legislation to full operation, the real test will be whether it can translate a bold new law into everyday relief for the businesses and consumers who feel every cost that passes through the nation's ports.
Originally published by BusinessDay.