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, as part of efforts to strengthen port regulation, boost investor confidence and improve Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness. In a post on his X account,…...
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, as part of efforts to strengthen port regulation, boost investor confidence and improve Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness.
In a post on his X account, Oyetola disclosed that the unveiling took place during the third-quarter stakeholders’ and citizens’ engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos, adding that he had directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into NPERA.
“Following President Bola Ahmed 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 also disclosed that the Federal 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.
Read Also: Oyetola Transfers Inland Dry Port Functions From NSC To NPA
Read Also
According to him, the projects are aimed at expanding port capacity and strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional logistics.
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.
He added 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.