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The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has disclosed that the launch of the National Single Window (NSW) will reduce cargo dwell time by 45 per cent, improve logistics, and save the private sector N400 billion annually.
SEREC disclosed this in its latest bulletin signed by its Head of Research, Eugene Nweke. He added that, as the Federal Government through the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), prepares to launch the NSW by January 2026, this milestone demands not only commendation but deep reflection on design integrity, governance structure, and financial impact.
In the bulletin titled: “Nigeria’s Path Towards Seamless Cargo Clearance – The Imperative of a Functional National Single Window, he said that a fully operational NSW could boost Customs revenue by 10–20 per cent annually, yielding between N600 billion and N1.2 trillion in additional earnings.
According to him, overall trade transaction costs could drop by 20–25 per cent, enhancing Nigeria’s global logistics competitiveness index and easing the cost of doing business.
However, he said, the absence of a unified NSW continues to push regional competitiveness towards neighbouring ports in Cotonou, Lome, and Tema, which already operate harmonised digital trade platforms.
He disclosed that the current system inefficiencies are estimated to cost Nigeria N500–N900 billion annually in unrealised revenue, administrative duplication, and lost productivity due to non-implementation.
On employment and investment opportunities, he said that a robust NSW ecosystem is projected to create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in ICT, logistics, and data management.
“Enhanced predictability and port transparency could attract $2–$3 billion in private logistics and maritime investments within five years, expanding GDP contribution from the maritime sector by up to 1.5 per cent.
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“SEREC reiterates that the success of Nigeria’s trade facilitation agenda hinges not on the sophistication of its software but on the integrity of its governance and inclusivity of its design. The forthcoming National Single Window must therefore be pursued as a national economic reform, not merely an automation project,” he added.
According to him, stakeholders — government, Customs, freight forwarders, terminal operators, air/shipping lines, banks, and the trading community must jointly commit to an operational culture of efficiency, transparency, and mutual trust.
Meanwhile, SEREC urged the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to ensure that the B’Odogwu platform evolves into a durable, interoperable, and sustainable digital foundation for the new era of Nigerian trade administration.
SEREC also urged all stakeholders, policy makers, freight practitioners, and industry leaders to unite around the principle that Trade Facilitation must come first; revenue will follow efficiency.
SEREC commends the Federal Government for constituting an Independent National Single Window Secretariat.
However, it is crucial that the rules of engagement, moderation, and inter-agency release protocols be clearly defined to safeguard operational transparency and prevent dominance by any particular sectoral interest.
The Secretariat’s interventions and oversight functions must remain neutral, inclusive, and performance-driven, with measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to trade facilitation outcomes — not merely revenue collection.
