The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a mandatory directive to all shipping lines and airlines operating within the country, requiring them to submit their sea and air cargo manifests exclusively through the National Single Window (NSW) platform.
A Decisive Step for Trade Modernisation
This order represents a significant policy shift designed to overhaul and simplify Nigeria's international trade procedures. The directive was communicated directly to stakeholders in the maritime and aviation sectors by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
In his correspondence, Minister Edun emphasised the foundational principles of the Single Window system. He stated that the platform is built on a single-entry point for all trade documentation and the single submission of data. This means information is provided just once and then shared seamlessly among all relevant government agencies.
"In line with these principles, the National Single Window will serve as the single-entry point for the submission of all sea and air manifests," Edun declared. "All shipping lines and airlines are therefore ordered to integrate with the NSW platform to ensure seamless manifest submission."
Building on Presidential Launch
This new mandate is a direct implementation of the National Single Window Project inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 16 April 2024. The project is a central pillar of the Federal Government's broader strategy to modernise Nigeria's import and export processes, enhance trade facilitation, and ultimately increase government revenue.
The NSW is engineered to integrate the activities of numerous government agencies involved in trade onto one unified digital platform. This integration is anticipated to deliver several key benefits:
- Faster clearance of goods and services at ports and airports.
- Improved operational efficiency at all points of entry and exit.
- A significant reduction in the bureaucratic delays that have long hampered trade operations in Nigeria.
Alignment with Global Standards
Minister Edun further clarified that the National Single Window initiative is not an isolated reform. He explained that the platform's design and objectives align with global best practices as defined by major international bodies like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
By adopting this system, Nigeria aims to bring its trade infrastructure in line with international standards, making the country a more competitive and attractive destination for global commerce. The success of this directive now hinges on the swift integration of all relevant shipping and aviation operators with the new NSW platform.
