The Director of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, Tola Fakolade has outlined ambitious plans to transform Nigeria’s import and export ecosystem, emphasising that the platform’s full benefits will gradually materialise over time.
Speaking at a media parley with members of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) in Lagos on Monday, Fakolade stressed that the project aims to reduce clearance time, lower costs, and improve efficiency across all ports in the country.
He noted that while the NSW will not solve all challenges immediately upon launch, it establishes a framework for sustained improvement, insisting on the need for collective collaboration.
“We are laying the right foundation and putting the right processes in place, and starting that journey. I would believe that those improvements gradually will compound over time, and it will help us to get to our destination.
“The day we launch, we’re not saying all issues in the import and export ecosystem will disappear. It doesn’t work that way. But it’s laying the right foundation, and we need to ensure that we all work together to drive adoption of the system,” he said.
According to Fakolade, the NSW will offer a single interface for traders and agents, data harmonisation, transparency, e-payment, and centralised risk management.
Key performance targets, described as the project’s “North Star,” include reducing clearance times from 12–21 days to just 24 hours; cutting average export times from 11 days to one day; decreasing physical examinations from 90 per cent to 10 per cent, and ensuring clearing costs are at parity with neighbouring West African countries.
“Our ambition is to make it a norm that within 24 hours, goods leave the port for compliant traders. This will make Nigeria very attractive for investors, especially foreign companies looking to set up manufacturing facilities,” Fakolade said.
He cited international case studies to underscore the effectiveness of Single Window systems, referencing Singapore, Benin, Djibouti, and Kenya as countries that have seen tangible improvements in cargo clearance and vessel turnaround times.
The NSW is designed to streamline processes by enabling single submission of documents and automatic distribution of manifests to all relevant agencies. The system will also employ risk management algorithms based on product type, country of origin, and compliance history, allowing compliant traders to benefit from faster clearance while flagging high-risk shipments.
“In Nigeria today, compliance of a lot of importers is very low. We want to encourage compliance by making it easier for those who play by the rules,” he said.
Fakolade announced a three-phase launch to manage risks and ensure smooth adoption. Phase one, starting on March 27, 2026, will include pre-arrival import permits, air and sea manifests, and centralised risk management. Phase two, scheduled for Q2–Q3 2026, will cover remaining import permits and all export-related processes, while Phase three in Q1 2027 will focus on customs declarations.
“The main advantage of launching in phases is that it allows us to fix any teething issues quickly and minimise disruption to traders,” he explained.
Plans are also in place to establish support centres with internet access for licensed agents and freight forwarders at major ports, beginning with Apapa Port, followed by Onne Port and Ikeja Airport.
Fakolade acknowledged that transitioning to a new system might involve a learning curve but emphasised the long-term benefits:
“Any change, especially any technology project, might be inconvenient at the beginning, but over time, these small improvements will compound and deliver real value for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.”
Fakolade stressed the importance of media collaboration in driving public awareness and trust in the NSW system.
“We want the media to ensure the public and trading community have accurate information. Help us spread the word on Single Window, and ensure objective reporting. The more educated people are, the better for the launch,” he said.
The NSW project, inaugurated on April 16, 2024, represents a collaborative effort with key agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Service, SON, Quarantine Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, FAAN, NIMASA, amongst others.
With the March 27 launch date fast approaching, Fakolade assured that the team is working to ensure the platform is fully operational and provides an efficient, transparent, and user-friendly experience for traders and stakeholders..