The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the transfer of Inland Dry Port (IDP) responsibilities from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

The minister said the decision was part of ongoing reforms aimed at separating regulatory responsibilities from operational functions and creating clearer roles among agencies under the ministry.

Oyetola announced the directive in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola.

He also approved the establishment of a ministerial committee to supervise the transition of the NSC into the newly created Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).

Government begins port regulatory restructuring

The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act in August, which formally created a dedicated economic regulator for Nigeria’s port industry.

Oyetola said the reform would introduce a more structured regulatory framework, reduce overlapping responsibilities and ensure that agencies operate strictly within their assigned mandates.

The minister explained that the NSC, which had operated as the interim economic regulator for the port sector since 2014, would now transition into NPERA with broader legal responsibilities.

Under the new arrangement, NPERA will oversee areas including: Port tariff regulation, Competition management, licensing, Service standards, Commercial dispute resolution, protection of port users’ interests

According to Oyetola, separating regulatory duties from operational activities would improve transparency, investor confidence and efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“A regulator cannot be an operator and still be perceived as unbiased. Clear separation will strengthen confidence, transparency and predictability for investors and port users,” he said.

NPA to manage inland dry ports

Addressing the transfer of Inland Dry Port functions to the NPA, the minister said the decision was not a withdrawal of government support for the inland dry port initiative.

Rather, he explained that placing the programme under the NPA would strengthen logistics coordination and improve connectivity between seaports and inland locations across the country.

“We are committed to efficient, integrated ports serving the entire country. Placing IDPs with NPA will improve connectivity and delivery across Nigeria’s logistics chain,” Oyetola said.

The ministerial committee overseeing the transition is expected to ensure that responsibilities are properly allocated and that essential functions continue without disruption.

Oyetola stressed that the success of the reform would depend on a smooth institutional transition and effective coordination among maritime agencies.

Background Information

Nigeria’s maritime sector has been undergoing reforms aimed at improving: Port efficiency, trade facilitation, logistics connectivity, investor confidence, regulatory transparency

Inland Dry Ports are designed to reduce pressure on coastal ports by allowing cargo handling, customs processes and logistics activities closer to inland markets.

The establishment of a dedicated port economic regulator is intended to separate:

Regulation: setting rules, monitoring compliance and protecting users.

Operations: managing infrastructure, terminals and port services.