NCS, SON, NPA, NAFDAC Achieve Full Integration into National Single Window Platform
The Director of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, Tola Fakolade, has announced that all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) scheduled for the pilot phase of the platform have been fully onboarded ahead of its official unveiling. This significant milestone was disclosed during the Phase One NSW Stakeholder Engagement Session held in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Complete Integration of Key Agencies
Fakolade confirmed that the project has achieved 100 per cent integration with all first-phase agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). He emphasized that this integration is a critical step toward streamlining port operations and improving trade efficiency across Nigeria.
Government Funding to Boost Digital Capacity
To ensure the successful launch of the NSW platform, the Federal Government has provided funding to support several government agencies that currently lack the required digital capacity. Fakolade explained that this financial assistance aims to strengthen technological capabilities, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure seamless integration into the NSW network. He noted that the NSW Secretariat has been collaborating with select agencies over the past two years to meet necessary infrastructure requirements.
Addressing Port Inefficiencies and Revenue Loss
Fakolade highlighted a major issue affecting Nigerian ports: many importers currently ship goods to Cotonou port before transporting them by road to Nigeria. This practice is faster and cheaper than direct shipment to Apapa Port but deprives the Nigerian government of significant customs revenue. Goods entering through land borders often benefit from regional free movement protocols, resulting in minimal or no duties paid locally.
"If we streamline our port processes, the duties currently going to Cotonou will come to Nigeria," Fakolade stated. He stressed that improved efficiency through the NSW platform would make Nigerian ports more competitive within West Africa, potentially reclaiming lost revenue and boosting economic growth.
Enhanced Data Protection and Payment Systems
On the topic of data security, Fakolade assured stakeholders that strict access controls and cybersecurity measures have been implemented. Top cybersecurity firms have been engaged to continuously monitor threats and ensure rapid response to any potential breaches, safeguarding sensitive information within the platform.
Regarding payments, Fakolade disclosed that three service providers—Remita, Interswitch, and Intranet—have been integrated to handle transactions. This integration is part of efforts to ensure seamless and secure payment processes within the NSW system, facilitating smoother trade operations.
LCCI President Highlights Trade Challenges and Opportunities
Also speaking at the event, Leye Kupoluyi, President/Chairman of Council at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), addressed Nigeria's trade facilitation challenges. He noted that while Nigeria remains one of Africa's largest trading economies, its trade facilitation indicators continue to lag behind global and regional benchmarks.
Kupoluyi pointed out that businesses have long suffered from duplicative documentation requirements, overlapping regulatory mandates, inconsistent procedures, and limited transparency in trade processes. These inefficiencies erode competitiveness, discourage investment, and weaken Nigeria's position in global value chains.
He cited examples of countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Rwanda, which have successfully implemented single window systems and recorded remarkable improvements in trade efficiency. Kupoluyi emphasized that streamlined digital platforms can reduce clearance times, lower transaction costs, improve compliance, and significantly boost trade volumes.
For Nigeria, Kupoluyi projected that the NSW system offers the potential to reduce cargo clearance time by up to 50 per cent, enhance revenue collection, curb leakages, and strengthen regulatory coordination across agencies. This could transform the country's trade landscape, making it more attractive for investment and boosting economic development.
