National Single Window implementation will curb N2.5trn trade losses, boost ease of doing business — Oyetola

…Targets 25% reduction of port operations cost

By Seun Ibiyemi

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to implement the National Single Window (NSW) as part of its strategy to reduce the cost of doing business in Nigerian ports by at least 25 percent.

According to the World Bank, the cost of conducting business at Nigerian ports can be as much as 40 percent higher than in other West African countries due to delays and administrative bottlenecks, leading to an estimated annual revenue loss of N2.5 trillion for the business community.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on the establishment of the NSW in Lagos, said the implementation of the Single Window System could significantly enhance efficiency and potentially reduce these costs by at least 25 percent.

“By streamlining operations, improving transparency, and minimising delays, the system not only drives cost savings but also strengthens overall trade facilitation. The cumulative impact of reduced costs, enhanced efficiency, and greater transparency will contribute to the overall ease of doing business,” he said.

Oyetola also noted that the federal government is prioritising multimodal connectivity to boost trade and reduce transportation costs.

“The current administration is advancing multimodal connectivity by improving road, rail, and inland waterway links to and from the ports. These improvements aim to reduce transportation costs, enhance logistics, and boost trade,” he said.

At the stakeholders’ forum, Oyetola highlighted his Ministry’s collaboration with the Lagos State Government to resolve long-standing traffic issues around the Apapa–Tincan–Mile 2 route, enabling smoother landside operations. Additionally, he said the Ministry has provided tugboats, mooring boats, pilot cutters, bollards, and fenders across all port locations to ensure effective seaside operations.

“We have maximised crane productivity and reduced vessel and truck turnaround times. The average vessel turnaround time has decreased from 7 days to 5 days, while truck turnaround time has dropped from an average of 10 days to just a few hours. However, we are not resting on our laurels. Our ultimate goal is to make Nigeria the maritime hub of West Africa,” he said.

Oyetola also mentioned ongoing efforts to revamp existing ports, with Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports serving as pilot projects. He explained that this modernisation would address ageing infrastructure nearing the end of its economic lifespan and improve hinterland connectivity.

“We are also encouraging private-sector participation in developing greenfield ports and other infrastructure projects. Additionally, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has acquired two state-of-the-art tugboats to strengthen its fleet, with plans to procure more marine crafts to boost operational efficiency,” he said.

The Minister further revealed that the Ministry has launched a strategic plan to engage stakeholders on the best way to establish a National Flag Carrier through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), an initiative aimed at generating employment, repositioning the maritime sector, and providing revenue streams for the government.

“Moreover, arrangements for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) are being finalised to support the development of the shipping sector,” he added.

On the implementation of the NSW project, Oyetola described it as a vital initiative to improve trade facilitation in Nigeria, stressing that it would raise awareness and enlighten participants about the benefits of the system as the government works to enhance trade efficiency for the collective economic prosperity of all Nigerians.

“Today, we come together as partners in progress to explore how the implementation of the National Single Window system can streamline trade facilitation and catalyse the growth of our blue economy,” he said.

He added, “The executive decision to implement the National Single Window system alongside the Port Community System (led by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy through the Nigerian Port Authority) is a pivotal step towards modernising trade processes and maximising the utilisation of our marine resources.”

Oyetola highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, which spans activities from maritime shipping and fisheries to renewable energy and coastal tourism. With a coastline stretching 853 kilometres and a maritime area of over 46,000 square kilometres, he said Nigeria is strategically positioned to leverage these resources for sustainable economic growth.

“The marine and blue economy holds immense potential to contribute significantly to our GDP, create thousands of jobs, and drive regional and global trade. Despite this potential, challenges such as inefficiencies in port operations, bureaucratic obstacles, and insufficient coordination among stakeholders have hindered its growth. Addressing these challenges requires an efficient, integrated, and secure logistics ecosystem—a goal that the National Single Window system is poised to achieve,” Oyetola stressed.

The Minister explained that the NSW initiative is a pioneering cross-government system designed to streamline trade facilitation by enabling stakeholders to coordinate trade-related transactions across multiple government agencies through a unified electronic platform.

“This digital transformation eliminates redundancies, reduces processing times, and ensures seamless coordination among government agencies and private sector actors. In essence, it serves as the bedrock for efficiency and competitiveness in global trade. Leveraging the implementation of the National Single Window for Nigeria aligns perfectly with our Renewed Hope Agenda,” he concluded.

Also speaking at the forum, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, highlighted the benefits of the NSW in interconnecting all stakeholders involved in foreign trade and enabling them to perform trade procedures on one platform. He described it as a comprehensive online environment for importers, exporters, commercial banks, carriers, Customs, ministries, and other government agencies to perform trade operations.

“The Single Window operation is the global trade best practice for the electronic exchange of information relating to over 500 million TEU movements and billions of tonnes of cargo for sea, air, and land transport modes,” Dantsoho said.

He praised the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement the NSW, stating it was key to enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports and positioning the country to benefit more from global trade.

“This move is pivotal to deepening the competitiveness of our ports and ensuring that Nigeria reaps greater benefits from global trade,” he added.

Dantsoho also pointed out that the NPA had enlisted the technical guidance of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS), the precursor to the NSW. Following the successful fulfilment of the necessary requirements, Nigeria was recently admitted as a member of the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), joining leading ports in the region, including Tangier Med Port of Morocco, and ports in Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Benin Republic.

“The NPA has proactively embraced ICT technologies in implementing its internal activities, believing that cargo operations in our ports cannot meet international standards without the Port Community System,” he said.

He concluded by stating that the NPA is fully committed to the successful implementation of the National Single Window, which he described as central to modernising trade facilitation in the country. He reiterated that Nigeria’s strategic location, large population, and growing market offer significant potential for the nation’s ports to become a leading transshipment hub in West Africa and beyond. However, he noted that infrastructure challenges and competition from neighbouring countries remain obstacles, which the upcoming Port Modernisation projects aim to address.

Dantsoho also acknowledged the complexity of the Port Community System implementation, noting that it is a gradual process that has been ongoing since 2011.

“Despite the challenges, the NPA remains committed to fully operating the PCS to ensure Nigeria’s ports remain competitive on the global stage,” he said.

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