MAJAN Seminar: National Single Window Project Will Revolutionize Nigeria’s Trade System – Experts Reveal

MAJAN Seminar: National Single Window Project Will Revolutionize Nigeria’s Trade System – Experts Reveal

By Silas Onuoha

Experts and Port industry stakeholders at a one day seminar held on Thursday at Rockview hotel, Apapa Lagos, by Maritime Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (MAJAN). With the theme “Transforming Trade Facilitation: Role of NSW in Enhancing Economic Efficiency”, has revealed that
The National Single Window (NSW) initiative is a laudable project that will not only revolutionise trade in Nigeria but also foster transparency, combat corruption, and enhance efficiency in Nigeria’s trade and maritime sector and ultimately boost the nation’s economy.

In his opening remark, former president of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Eugene Nweke, who was the chairman of the event commended MAJAN for putting together such a laudable programme with an important topic of national interest, saying the theme is apt and timely.

Dr Eugene noted that trade is supposed to promote peace globally but wondered if trade is really promoting peace in Nigeria currently. He stated that the National Single Window is an initiative that can transform trade in Nigeria and bring significant transformation to Nigeria economy if taken seriously. He however worried that people are politicizing the initiative rather than embracing it, adding that the project will enhance trade facilitation and transparency. According to him, the initiative will bring laudable changes into the port operation in Nigeria if well implemented.

The Project Lead of the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, Mr. Tola Fakolade in his goodwill message reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s trade environment through the implementation of the National Single Window Project.

NSW project Lead, who was ably represented by a director of the project, Mr. Peter Ekunkoya, described the NSW as a transformational initiative of the current administration, aimed at enhancing economic efficiency and trade competitiveness.

His words.
“The National Single Window Project is designed to be a centralized, digital platform for the submission, processing, and approval of trade-related documentation. By linking various government agencies, importers, and service providers, we aim to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with import and export activities”.

He emphasized the administration’s bold vision to reduce clearance times for imports and exports from an average of 10 to 18 days down to just 24 hours and according to him, this shift will not only increase transparency and reduce bureaucratic delays but also improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business and attract foreign direct investment, ultimately contributing to GDP growth.

According to the project lead, following the project’s formal inauguration by President Bola Tinubu on April 16, 2024, stakeholder engagements have commenced to develop the framework and governance structure necessary for the successful implementation of the initiative.

Acknowledging historical challenges in Nigeria’s trade system, such as long clearance times and poor coordination among regulatory agencies, Fakolade said the NSW platform will address these inefficiencies by enabling seamless access to trade information and documentation.

Going further, he described the project as a “groundbreaking journey” that would modernize Nigeria’s trade processes and place the country at the forefront of global trade facilitation.

He however noted that the success of the NSW Project will depend on collaboration among key agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, NAFDAC, NESREA, CBN, NPA, FAAN, terminal operators, and security bodies like NDLEA and DSS. He stressed the importance of collective participation and the need for enabling infrastructure to support efficiency and compliance with international standards.

Fakolade commended Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team for the prelaunch of B’Odogwu.
He stressed that B’Odogwu trade platform is a good initiative, and it’s a step in the right direction towards achieving National Single Window. He said the Customs Boss is on the right path, that other stakeholders should ensure active collaboration for National Single Window Project to succeed in Nigeria.

He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders involved, acknowledging their dedication and expertise. “At the inauguration, the President reiterated that this project would be a legacy of the present administration. All those involved would be writing their names in gold,” he said.

He called for unity and commitment, encouraging stakeholders to embrace the opportunities presented by the NSW Project for national prosperity.

In a keynote address titled “The Role of NSW in Enhancing Economic Efficiency” Peter Ekunkoya gave an overview of what the team has done and what to expect next. He said the Single Window is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.

The key features of the initiative according to Ekunkoya are single interface, data sharing, transparency, e-payment and risk management. He pointed out that the project has saved Singapore around $1bn per year, adding that since 2014, the cost savings to the economy of Kenya through the initiative amount to about $22.5m per year.

Mr Ekunkoya noted that the system will reduce average time it takes to clear goods from the ports from 18 days to 1 day, reduce the amount of time it takes to export goods from 11 days to 1 day, reduces Percentage of containers that are physically inspected by agencies from 90% to 25% and also reduces clearing charges, demurrage and other fees by at least 50%.

He technically pointed out that the project will streamline trade processes, enhance document (data) harmonization and help to achieve pre-arrival processing, adding that the system will help to achieve 100% electronic payments and also leverage Customs Post Clearance Audit.

He said the team is working hard to ensure that the system works by engaging relevant stakeholders and agencies. “We have selected CrimsonLogic (Singapore) as the preferred technology vendor for the National Single Window (NSW) solution implementation. The next step is to finalise the vendor selection process and obtain FEC approval”, Ekunkoya said.

Although the team, based on its timeline, is already running behind schedule, Ekunkoya noted that the project is scheduled to be fully operational by March 2026. He therefore urged all stakeholders to support the project so as to transform the Nigeria economy.