The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, has received a Sustainability Award for Investment and Economic Development in London.
The award was presented to Akutah at the Nigeria Conversation on Trade and Investment London 2026, organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigerian Branch, in recognition of his contributions to investment promotion and economic development in Nigeria.
The recognition came shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026.
The event brought together government officials, business leaders and other stakeholders to examine prospects and opportunities for sustainable economic and industrial development in Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme, “Towards Sustainable Economic and Industrial Development in Nigeria – Prospects and Opportunities,” Akutah highlighted the vast investment opportunities available in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
The NPERA DG said the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the ongoing renewal of the country’s port infrastructure demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to diversifying the economy beyond oil and gas.
He identified the ports sector, inland waterways, fisheries, shipbuilding and repairs, renewable energy and other maritime activities as critical areas capable of attracting investment, creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth.
Akutah also called for greater efforts to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s inland waterways, noting that only about 3,000 kilometres of the country’s estimated 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways are currently navigable.
According to him, the dredging of the River Niger and development of navigable channels could unlock significant investment opportunities, reduce logistics costs and facilitate the movement of goods to the hinterland.
He further stressed the need to align Nigeria’s trade objectives with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) while improving logistics infrastructure to enable the country to maximise the benefits of regional trade.
Akutah noted that Nigeria continues to enjoy a strong market structure, which he described as a major advantage for investors.
He added that many of Africa’s major seaports are located in Nigeria, although several of them are old, stressing that ongoing government efforts to modernise port infrastructure would further enhance the country’s competitiveness.
The NPERA chief expressed optimism that the marine and blue economy could make a significant contribution to the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Dignitaries at the event included the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, represented by his Special Assistant on Economic Matters, Mr. Sanni Abdullahi Ozomata; the First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq; Mr. Chimaobi Madukwe, representing BUA Group; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, among others.
The Sustainability Award adds to the growing recognition of efforts to position Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy as a catalyst for investment, trade, industrialisation and sustainable economic development.
