By Seun Ibiyemi
The Federal Government has set an ambitious target to significantly enhance Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness, declaring its intent to position Nigerian ports among the top three most efficient trade gateways in Africa by 2026.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known during the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Addrssing the committee members, Shettima said the National Single W8ndow initiative is designed to create a single digital platform that harmonises trade documentation, reduces human contact, and enhances transparency in port operations.
“By the end of 2026, we aim to reduce average cargo clearance time in Nigeria to under seven days and to position our ports among the top three most efficient trade gateways on the continent,” he said.
“The forthcoming implementation of the National Single Window in the first quarter of next year will be a game changer , a single platform that harmonises documentation, minimises human contact, and brings full transparency to the cargo clearance process.”
The Vice President further clarified that the policy is part of the administration’s broader drive to improve trade facilitation, customs efficiency, and competitiveness at Nigeria’s seaports.
He noted that the introduction of the National Single Window would eliminate bottlenecks associated with multiple documentation processes, cut down on operational delays, and significantly reduce the cost of doing business at the ports.
The reform, he said, will also support the government’s goal of transforming Nigeria into a regional trade hub, boosting non-oil exports, and attracting more investments into the logistics and maritime sectors.
The meeting forms part of the government’s ongoing effort to address challenges affecting port performance, improve inter-agency coordination, and align Nigeria’s trade systems with global best practices.