The closing days of January, 2025, saw at Ikeja in Lagos, a huge gathering of opinion-makers, heads of government ministries, corporations, chambers of commerce and journalists- all critical stakeholders in trade, business and economy and global development.
Between January 28 and 30, 2025, stakeholders and industry experts in Nigeria’s trade sector , converged at the Marriott hotel, Ikeja Lagos, for a three-day forum themed ‘Shaping the Future of Nigeria through seamless trade facilitation to explore the transformative potential of collective action.” It was to discuss the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW). The event, which drew participants from government agencies, private sector organizations, and international partners, aimed to facilitate dialogue and collaboration towards streamlining Nigeria’s trade processes.
The gathering came about as a result of Nigeria’s quest for efficiency in its determination to achieve its ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2031, just six years away. Then there was a disclosure that government was set to implement the National Single Window project, expected to generate $3 billion in annual revenue, this year.
Expectedly, there was a consensus among stakeholders and industry experts at the opening of a three-day workshop on the presidential initiative called the National Single Window project launched by President Bola Tinubu in April, 2024.
The NSW is a digital platform designed to enable businesses to submit applications and documents required for various regulatory approvals and clearances from a single point of entry. This initiative is expected to reduce the complexity, time, and cost associated with obtaining necessary permits and approvals, thereby improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Speaking at the events, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Minister of Industry and minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole drummed. They were of the opinion that the initiative would help reduce cost of doing business and also redefine trade.
Oyetola emphasized the initiative would significantly reduce the cost of doing business in the country and eliminate sharp practices in trade processes.
“As highlighted by the World Bank, the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports can be up to 40 percent higher than in other West African countries due to delays and administrative bottlenecks, leading to an estimated annual revenue loss of ₦2.5 trillion within the business community.”
According to him, the implementation of the Single Window System could enhance efficiency, potentially reducing these costs by at least 25 percent. By streamlining operations, events, improving transparency, and minimizing delays, the system not only drives cost savings but also strengthens overall trade facilitation. He emphasized that the cumulative impact across all areas—including reduced costs, enhanced efficiency, and greater transparency—would ultimately contribute to the overall ease of doing business.
He disclosed of advancing multimodal connectivity by improving road, rail, and inland waterway links to and from the ports. Expectedly, these improvements aim to reduce transportation costs, enhance logistics, and boost trade. He gave as an example, how his ministry in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, cleared the age-long Apapa – Tincan – Mile 2 traffic for landside operations and provided tugboats, mooring boats, pilot cutters, bollards, and fenders across all port locations for effective seaside operations. The Minister said.
He added that he had made effort to maximise crane productivity and ensured a reduced transit time for vessels and trucks. He explained that these had led to a reduction in both the vessel and truck turn-around times. The vessel turn-around-time went down from an average of seven days to an average of five days, while truck turn-around-time went from an average of 10 days to a few hours.
“But we are not resting on our oars, as our ultimate goal is to make Nigeria the hub of maritime in West Africa,” said Oyetola.
In her own address, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, stressed that the establishment of a National Single Window system for trade is not merely a policy objective but “a transformative reform that will fundamentally redefine the way trade is conducted across our borders.”
“Our single window project will provide a centralized digital platform for traders to submit, process, and access trade-related documentation- eliminating corruption through improved transparency, reducing administrative burdens, and significantly enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“Many of you will recall that in my previous capacities in the Presidency, I have been part and parcel of the NSW project since 2016. The time for delivery is now.
“Under President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, economic growth and job creation are key priorities. The NSW will play a significant role in achieving these goals,” she said.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Finance, Dr Uzoka-Anite, stressed that the initiative would not only enhance ease of doing business in the country but also attract foreign direct investment.
“I know that this is going to give us a minimum of $3 billion annual returns, that is annual revenue generation. And as our trade grows, we intend to become a transshipment nation which means we will become like the Singapore and the Dubai of this world, in Africa. So we can actually process and facilitate trade in Africa.”
“In Indonesia their NSW programme was launched in 2007 to simplify trade, and since then they have achieved significant reduced clearance time. The average time for cargo clearance at ports dropped from seven days to just three days, traders saved millions of dollars annually through reduced administrative costs and delays.
She described the project as a cornerstone of modern trade facilitation that represents a significant leap forward in the nation’s journey towards becoming a global trade hub.
She also gave examples of Vietnam and Rwanda. “This ease of trading facilitated by their NSW helped Vietnam increase exports, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture. Such a similar impact would be significant for Nigeria as we continue to build our foreign reserves and strengthen the Naira.
“Here in Africa Rwanda established its NSW in 2012 to promote regional and international trade which has since resulted in speedier border crossing times which decreased by 50 percent thus boosting the movement of goods in Rwanda.
“The NSW reforms contributed to Rwanda becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa and improved Rwanda’s trade within the East African Community (EAC),” the Minister said.
In his remarks, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, asserted that the NSW would fast track Nigeria’s $1trn economy realization.
However, he lamented that for too long, Nigeria’s trade facilitation processes had been hampered by a complex web of bureaucratic hurdles, characterized by cumbersome and inefficient procedures, which has led to delays at the ports, increased costs of doing business, and a substantial erosion of Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
This, he noted, “has resulted in substantial revenue losses to the country, reduction in foreign direct investments, and hindered the full realization of our nation’s economic potential.” “I believe that by establishing an integrated platform that seamlessly connects all critical actors – seaports, airports, free trade zones, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector – we are set to revolutionize the way we conduct international trade.”
Comptroller General of the Nigeria Custom Service, Bashir Adeniyi, who was represented, said the concept was not new to Nigeria as similar efforts had been made in the past, suggesting ways to overcome the challenged that stunte similar efforts in the past.
“Over the years, we have witnessed various efforts aimed at integrating government agencies, streamlining processes, and fostering efficiency in trade facilitation.
“However, these attempts have been fraught with challenges, ranging from fragmented technological systems and institutional silos to misaligned stakeholder expectations and inadequate physical a n d technological infrastructure.
“While these obstacles have slowed our progress, they have also provided invaluable lessons that shape the roadmap for future successes.
“To succeed, we must embrace a singular purpose backed by unwavering governmental resolve, ensuring that the Single Window is not perceived as the sole mandate but as a national strategy supported by all stakeholders, including the private sector, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies.
“The centrality of Customs in this ecosystem is undeniable, but success requires a symbiotic relationship where each stakeholder plays its part with precision and commitment,” he said.
Managing Director of NPA, Dr Dantsoho, emphasised the need for all stakeholders to work in unity to achieve the goal of the project.
He referenced the one stop shop initiative as demonstrating the possibility for government agencies to collaborate and work in harmony with zero tolerance for delays in service delivery and timely interventions without bottle necks.
Speaking earlier, the Head of NSW Secretariat, Mr. Tola Fakolade, said the project will simplify the ways things are being done, adding that NSW was first implemented in Singapore and also used in Djibouti, Kenya and others and where it recorded successes.
Fakolade said the first phase of the project would start this year with training and testing, saying his office expects cooperation from all stakeholders
In conclusion, the Stakeholders Forum on National Single Window marked an important milestone in Nigeria’s quest for efficiency in trade processes. As the country moves forward with the implementation of the NSW, it is essential that stakeholders continue to collaborate and work together to ensure the platform’s success.
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