The National Assembly has passed a bill renaming the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), redefining its regulatory powers within the maritime sector.
Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, disclosed this during a three-day capacity-building programme for middle management staff in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The event, themed “Building Regulatory Capacity for Middle Management Staff,” focused on preparing personnel for the agency’s anticipated institutional reforms.
Dr. Akutah welcomed the bill’s passage and said the Council is now awaiting presidential assent for the new law to take effect. He noted that the reform aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to strengthen maritime governance, citing the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He added that the proposed law would grant the agency enhanced autonomy and enforcement powers, surpassing those of the current NSC structure.
Also speaking at the event, former Director-General of NIMASA, Mfon Usoro, described middle managers as the “engine room” of any organisation and called on staff to proactively embrace the transition.
She stressed the importance of continuous training, especially in pricing and marketing standards, and encouraged inter-agency collaboration to fulfill the Council’s evolving mandate.
Established in 1978, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council serves as the Port Economic Regulator under the supervision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, safeguarding the interests of importers and exporters.
About the Author
