NPERA Threatens Fines, Jail Over Port Corruption as New Law Gives Stronger Powers — MACN Backs Enforcement By Romeon Ropel, Abuja

The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) has vowed to fully enforce the NPERA Act 2026, including fines and criminal prosecution, to tackle corruption, unethical practices and inefficiency in Nigeria’s port sector.

Director-General/CEO of NPERA, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, stated this when he received a delegation from the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) led by its CEO, Ms. Cecilia Muller Torbrand, in Abuja.

Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, DG and Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) CEO, Ms. Cecilia Muller Torbrand, in Abuja.

Akutah said the new law has given NPERA far stronger enforcement powers than the former Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act, empowering the agency to sanction violators decisively.

"

The NPERA Act 2026 has strengthened our regulatory and enforcement powers beyond what we had under the Shippers’ Council Act. We will deploy these powers to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency across the maritime sector," Akutah said.

He warned that port operators, agencies and stakeholders who violate the Act will face fines and criminal prosecution, adding that NPERA is determined to use the new legal framework to improve the operating environment in Nigerian ports.

Responding, MACN CEO, Ms. Torbrand, said the network — which comprises over 200 global maritime companies — is ready to deepen partnership with NPERA to combat corruption and improve efficiency in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

She described MACN as a partner and mediator between the public and private sectors, with broad international experience in tackling port corruption.

MACN Nigeria Representative, Mr. Soji Apampa, recalled that the organisation has supported Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts since 2012 through anonymous incident reporting, the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), Help Desk, joint risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Apampa said MACN is prepared to support NPERA with data, global expertise, training and capacity-building to strengthen enforcement.

Welcoming the partnership, Akutah said closer collaboration with MACN will deliver faster results for Nigeria’s maritime industry and Blue Economy. He credited the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, for helping to address inter-agency rivalry in the sector.

Industry stakeholders say the alliance between NPERA and MACN could mark a turning point in the fight against port corruption that has inflated cargo costs from Apapa to Abuja, Kano and Jos.





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