The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency has committed to reducing avoidable logistics expenses and accelerating cargo clearance across the country's ports through stakeholder engagement and evidence-based regulation. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, NPERA's Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, made the pledge on Friday during the Nigerian Transport Summit 2026 in Lagos. He said the regulator would work to support a port system that lowers costs, improves operational efficiency, encourages fair competition and strengthens Nigeria's standing as a maritime and trade hub.
Trade bottlenecks, unpredictable port charges and fragmented infrastructure have damaged Nigeria's commercial competitiveness, Akutah warned. He highlighted how delays in cargo clearance, excessive or unpredictable charges, poor infrastructure and weak coordination among stakeholders increase logistics costs and undermine the ability of Nigerian businesses to compete. Economic regulation must protect the interests of all operators including importers, exporters, shipping companies and freight forwarders while ensuring charges are reasonable and service delivery is efficient, he said.
Seamless trade facilitation is vital for national economic growth, Akutah stressed. He called for reasonable charges, efficient service delivery, fair treatment of stakeholders and adequate protection of port users' interests within the regulatory framework. The regulator emphasised that effective economic regulation is essential to achieving these goals.
Beyond the ports themselves, Akutah urged federal authorities and private operators to accelerate integration across roads, rail lines and inland waterways. An efficient transport system requires effective coordination of multiple modes to move cargo from ports to inland markets and production centres, he said. Dry ports and supporting transit infrastructure are strategically important for expanding access to hinterland businesses, provided connection bottlenecks are resolved. Challenges affecting rail freight services, road transport costs, cargo documentation and shipping arrangements must be addressed, he added.
The transport sector's problems are interconnected and cannot be solved by a single institution, Akutah said in concluding his address. They require coordination involving government ministries and agencies, regulatory bodies, infrastructure providers, transport operators, investors and the business community. Nigeria must embrace innovation, digitalisation, environmental sustainability and international best practices while tailoring policies to the country's specific economic and operational needs, he stated.
For businesses reliant on imports or exports, reduced port costs and faster cargo clearance could lower trading expenses and improve competitiveness, though benefits depend on coordinated improvements across transport infrastructure.