Economic Experts, Stakeholders Applaud MAJAN’s Seminar on National Single Window as Tool for Trade Facilitation

Economic Experts, Stakeholders
Applaud MAJAN’s Seminar on National Single Window as Tool for Trade Facilitation
…As MAJAN President Jerry Aguigbo makes brilliant presentation

(By Udeme Clement)

Thursday, April 10, 2025, was a special day for the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), as economic experts and stakeholders in the maritime industry showered encomiums on the Association for its innovative idea in organising a seminar on National Single Window Project (NSW).

While some stakeholders who graced the occasion praised MAJAN for its thoughtfulness in bringing together experts from different agencies to discuss an important project like National Single Window, others said the choice of the topic was timely and very important, considering the efforts of the Federal Government in promoting NSW as a major tool for trade facilitation and economic development.

In his keynote address, the representative of Mr Tola Fakolade, the Director of National Single Window in Nigeria, commended MAJAN for the well thought-out initiative in supporting what government is doing in trying to streamline imports and exports processes through a Single Window, like what obtains in advanced countries.

He described the seminar put together by MAJAN as laudable and highly strategic for the current administration.

Speaking further, Mr Peter Ekunkoya stressed that a Single Window requires only a single interface with maritime traders, Customs, importers, exporters and other agencies on the trade value chain.

He said : “This requires data sharing, transparency, e-payment and risk management. Single Window has saved Singapore billions every year. Nigeria is losing money daily for not implementing NSW.”

Also, while giving an overview of what a Single Window entails, the
the President General of MAJAN, Comrade Jerry Aguigbo, made a brilliant presentation.

He explained :
“The topic of today’s summit: National Single Window, cannot be x-rayed at a better time than now. Indeed,the NSW no doubt has the potential to not only create seamless trade but also improve the nation’s economy while effectively dismantling barriers to trade facilitation.
It is the need to explore the potentials inherent in NSW, and the possibility of getting It right that we have gathered here today.”The National Single Window platform streamlines international trade by allowing parties involved in trade and transport to submit standardised information and documents through a single entry point .This initiative aims to simplify and harmonise the flow of information among traders and government authorities, thereby eliminating bottlenecks and the need for businesses to submit the same information multiple times to different entities.”

Jerry Aguigbo pointed out : “The success rate of NSW has been impressive in various countries. For instance, *Singapore’s Trade Net system* reduced trade processing time from four days to just 10 minutes, resulting in significant cost savings. South Korea’s Single Window System integrated 90 different systems from 43 government agencies, enabling a 60% reduction in trade transaction costs and a 40% increase in processing speed.

“Other success stories include
Thailand, which reduced export transaction times by 42% through its NSW. Hong Kong, where the NSW generated substantial economic benefits, resulting in estimated annual savings of HK$1.3 billion. Pakistan, which streamlined 65% of regulated trade and reduced goods declaration times by half through its Single Window (PSW).
Sri Lanka, which aims to reduce trade costs, faster processing, better government revenue collection, and stronger alignment to global standards through its NSW”.

The MAJAN President General went on : “In Nigeria, the National Single Window initiative was launched by President Bola Tinubu to enhance revenue generation and ensure ease of doing business. The platform is expected to link all agencies, Customs, importers and exporters to an integrated platform, simplifying government trade compliance and unlocking economic prosperity.

“The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, recently described the NSW project as a transformative economic tool. Edun reiterated the government’s commitment to its success.
The minister underscored the National Single Window’s potential to catalyse export growth, particularly with Nigeria on course to achieve 1.2 million barrels of daily Oil production.

“Edun affirmed that the project is well underway with approvals secured and a dedicated team in place with a structured implementation plan.”

He emphasised : “The Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria, MAJAN, has carefully chosen this Seminar topic on Transforming Trade Facilitation Through National Single Window System to fully stress its impact on the nation’s economy.

“The seminar was designed to explore the concept of Single Window, its objectives, and its potential to streamline trade processes while enhancing economic efficiency in Nigeria. Key areas of discussion included the goals of NSW project, stakeholder roles, implementation strategies, and its alignment with both national and regional trade facilitation initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”