Customs, agents disagree over National Single Window operations
By Godwin Oritse & Efe Onodjae
Concerns are mounting over disagreements related to the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW), a digital portal launched by the Federal Government in March to streamline import and export processing at Nigeria’s ports.
The NSW allows importers and exporters to submit necessary trade documents a single time, eliminating the need for redundant paperwork across several agencies.
Lucky Amiwero, president of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), stated to Vanguard that the system is not functioning as intended. He called for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to take control of its implementation.
In response, the NCS stated that there are currently no issues with the system and highlighted early successes. However, Amiwero countered that the existing framework fails to simplify the documentation and clearance processes, contrary to the goals of a Single Window system.
“Instead of a single window, what we have are multiple windows that complicate the process for importers and clearing agents,” he said. He also dismissed claims that the project had progressed to a second phase, insisting that identified challenges from the initial phase remain unresolved.
Amiwero emphasized that the NCS possesses the legal authority, operational platforms, and technical know-how to implement the project successfully under the Customs Act. He objected to proposals for electronic transmission of cargo manifests outside the Customs framework, reiterating that manifest administration is a statutory responsibility of the NCS.
He urged the government to consolidate all trade documentation on a single Customs platform rather than create multiple systems that duplicate efforts. Amiwero also raised concerns about ongoing cargo clearance delays, which he said are driving up demurrage and other port-related charges for importers.
Meanwhile, the NCS has asserted that the NSW platform has facilitated trade by enhancing efficiency in goods clearance and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade. In collaboration with the National Single Window Secretariat, the NCS has begun stakeholder outreach regarding the submission of electronic vessel manifests as it prepares to implement the next phase of the NSW.
During a recent stakeholder meeting, Oluyomi Adebakin, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT and Modernization, referenced consultations conducted both before and after the launch of Phase One on March 27, 2026.
Adebakin described the NSW platform as a widely accepted tool for trade facilitation, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and Nigeria’s international trade standing. She noted that the electronic submission of manifests would not change the NCS’s statutory responsibilities but would introduce a faster and more transparent processing method.
Furthermore, Adebakin stated that the platform would enhance trade facilitation, improve data integrity, and strengthen anti-smuggling initiatives.
Tola Fakolade, National Coordinator of the National Single Window Project, praised the NCS for its support in implementing the initiative. He reported that the platform has issued over 100,000 licenses and permits, registering more than 1,000 users, marking significant progress in Nigeria’s trade modernization efforts.
