The National Single Window Secretariat has set a target of reducing cargo clearance time in Nigeria to one day, from the current average of two to three weeks, as maritime stakeholders called for smarter ports, greener logistics and improved coordination among regulatory agencies.
The National Coordinator of the National Single Window Secretariat, Mr. Tola Fakolade, disclosed this at the Primetime Reporters’ 5th Annual Lecture and Awards held at Rockview Hotels, GRA, Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday.
Fakolade, who was represented by a Deputy Director at the Secretariat, Mr. Jude Oboh, said the initiative was designed to simplify trade procedures, reduce cargo dwell time, eliminate unnecessary physical examinations and lower the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
He explained that the Federal Government’s directive was to reduce cargo clearance time to one day for both imports and exports, noting that prolonged cargo clearance had contributed significantly to the high cost of doing business in the country.
According to him, the National Single Window seeks to address these challenges through a centralized digital platform that allows importers and exporters to submit documentation once, enabling relevant government agencies to access the information they require without repeatedly requesting the same documents.
He said the platform would also improve transparency, strengthen risk management and enable regulatory agencies to identify compliant traders for faster cargo processing while directing greater scrutiny towards high-risk transactions.
Fakolade noted that Nigeria’s current practice of subjecting approximately 95 per cent of cargo to intrusive physical examination was excessive, adding that the Secretariat hoped to reduce the proportion to below 10 per cent in line with international best practices.
He attributed the high rate of physical examination partly to the absence of a centralised risk management system and the overlapping responsibilities of regulatory agencies operating at the ports.
The National Single Window, he said, would facilitate information-sharing among agencies, allowing them to assess cargo risks collectively and reduce unnecessary inspections.
He added that the Federal Government had also directed that Nigeria’s cargo clearance costs should, at worst, be comparable to those of other West African countries, where some Nigerian-bound cargo had been diverted in recent years.
Providing an update on the initiative, Fakolade said the platform had issued more than 156,000 licences and permits within six months, eliminating the need for applicants to visit multiple regulatory agencies physically.
He disclosed that more than 12,000 importers and clearing agents had registered on the platform, while five ministries, departments and agencies were already using it.
According to him, the platform’s first phase, which focuses on non-oil imports, has commenced with the integration of pre-shipment documentation and permits issued by relevant regulatory agencies.
He explained that importers could now apply for applicable licences and permits through the platform, while shipping manifests submitted by shipping lines and airlines were also being channelled through the system to the relevant authorities.
Fakolade said the Secretariat was preparing to extend the initiative to exports, with plans to commence operations by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the implementation schedule.
He added that the third phase would cover the oil and gas sector and trade visualisation solutions, which are expected to provide greater visibility into Nigeria’s trade activities.
He urged maritime stakeholders, including freight forwarders, shipping companies and regulatory agencies, to continue providing feedback to improve the system.
In his keynote address, a former lecturer at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kamany Marine Services Limited, Dr. Charles Okorefe, said Nigeria still had significant ground to cover in developing smart and environmentally sustainable ports.
Speaking on the theme, “Smarter Gateways, Greener Logistics: Leveraging Port Community System and National Single Window for Seamless Trade Flows,” Okorefe described ports as critical gateways for international commerce whose efficiency must extend beyond receiving vessels and clearing cargo to ensuring the seamless movement of goods.
He explained that smart ports deploy advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain and automation, to accelerate cargo handling, reduce energy consumption, minimise delays and lower operating costs.
According to him, these technologies can improve vessel scheduling, automate cargo-handling operations and facilitate real-time monitoring of port equipment.
He observed that Nigerian ports had yet to achieve the level of automation and technological integration evident in leading international ports such as Rotterdam and Singapore.
Okorefe also called for the adoption of cleaner energy sources in port operations, suggesting that Nigeria should explore opportunities to convert agricultural resources, including sugarcane, into biofuels for transportation and logistics.
He expressed concern over the country’s dependence on conventional energy sources in its transport infrastructure, arguing that the transition to greener logistics would require deliberate investment, innovation and forward-looking policies.
On the National Single Window, the maritime expert described it as a centralised digital platform designed to connect importers, exporters and relevant government agencies through a streamlined system for documentation, regulatory approvals, data exchange and payments.
He explained that the Port Community System could complement the National Single Window by facilitating information-sharing and operational coordination among stakeholders within the port environment.
Okorefe, however, identified overlapping regulatory mandates, institutional rivalries and the tendency of agencies to operate in silos as major obstacles to achieving seamless trade facilitation.
He urged government agencies to harmonise their responsibilities and improve collaboration, stressing that the effectiveness of digital platforms would depend on the willingness of institutions to work together.
He said the objective should be to eliminate duplicated procedures and ensure that information submitted through a centralized platform moves efficiently among relevant agencies to facilitate timely cargo release.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Barr. Temisan Omatseye, called for stronger environmental protection, improved regulatory coordination and deliberate investment in smart port infrastructure.
Omatseye said the maritime industry was facing significant challenges that required sustained engagement among policymakers, regulators, industry operators and the media.
He expressed concern over pollution incidents and prolonged oil-related fires, citing the situation at OML 18 and an oil spill at Odidi, which he said had raised serious environmental concerns.
He warned that pollution disproportionately affected host communities through damage to aquatic ecosystems, loss of fishing opportunities and the destruction of livelihoods.
The former NIMASA chief also criticised what he described as insufficient coordination among regulatory institutions, particularly in the administration of offshore petroleum operations and environmental protection.
He argued that government agencies needed to clearly understand the legal foundations of their respective mandates and engage one another before implementing policies that could create jurisdictional conflicts.
According to him, the existence of international maritime conventions ratified and domesticated by Nigeria makes it necessary for regulators to ensure that their actions are consistent with the country’s legal obligations.
Omatseye urged journalists to investigate regulatory decisions, question the basis of government actions and hold relevant institutions accountable, while maintaining constructive engagement.
He said environmental protection and sustainable maritime development required a clear understanding of the laws governing the sector and the responsibilities assigned to different agencies.
Omatseye also advocated the development of smarter ports capable of accommodating larger vessels, accelerating cargo operations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
He said modern ports should provide facilities that enable vessels to connect to cleaner shore-based power instead of relying continuously on onboard generators while berthed.
He further commended the Federal Government’s reported intervention in the repair of the breakwater at Escravos, expressing hope that the project would support improvements to the Warri port channel and enhance maritime access to surrounding areas.
The former NIMASA Director-General, however, stressed that port development must be accompanied by adequate planning for cargo evacuation.
He cited the challenges associated with cargo movement from the Lekki Deep Sea Port as an example of the need to integrate road, rail and other transport infrastructure into port development plans from the outset.
According to him, Nigeria must avoid repeating existing congestion and evacuation difficulties when developing proposed deep seaports in other parts of the country.
He emphasised that the development of modern ports should involve comprehensive planning for cargo movement, cleaner energy, efficient vessel turnaround and environmental sustainability.
Omatseye urged maritime stakeholders to remain committed to practical reforms that would improve the competitiveness of Nigerian ports and leave a stronger maritime industry for future generations.
The Primetime Reporters’ 5th Annual Lecture and Awards brought together stakeholders from the maritime industry including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho who was represented by the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, the Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, NPERA, Barr. Pius Akutah, represented by the Director, Regulatory Services, Adaora Nwonu, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy and General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Onyekachi Igwe, among others to discuss strategies for improving trade facilitation, promoting digital transformation and advancing environmentally sustainable port operations in Nigeria.
