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By Steve Agbota
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have raised concerns over unresolved structural and inter-agency challenges that could compromise the effectiveness of the National Single Window (NSW), warning that such issues may result in significant financial losses for importers and the wider economy.
The National Single Window, slated for launch in March 2026, is intended to streamline port operations by providing a unified digital platform for customs clearance and related regulatory processes. However, maritime operators fear that the persistence of multiple regulatory interfaces could undermine the system’s intended efficiencies.
Speaking at the 10th Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists and the launch of the Centre for Maritime Media and Capacity Development in Lagos, the National Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Segun Oduntan, represented by Suleiman Ayokunle, Chief Executive Officer of SULA Logistics Limited, highlighted the sector’s structural hurdles.
“Despite the concept of a single window, operators still contend with several government regulatory agency platforms, alongside multiple internal windows covering enforcement, scanning, gate operations, and cargo clearing processes,” Oduntan said.
He recalled the launch of various digital platforms by regulatory agencies for cargo clearing, noting that the immediate aftermath was severe, with port evacuations completely stalled for about three weeks.
“Teething problems are often inevitable with technology-driven reforms, but their economic consequences can be far-reaching if not properly managed,” he warned.
Oduntan pointed to recurring disputes between the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Maritime Police, illustrating the cost implications. “On a vessel carrying about 1,000 cargoes, fewer than 200 typically pass without complications,” he explained. “Complaints are exchanged between the two agencies, and resolving disputes takes a minimum of four days. During this period, importers bear demurrage costs of not less than N2 million per incident, a burden ultimately passed to manufacturers and consumers through higher prices.”
He cautioned that unless the NSW effectively harmonises agency roles and processes, such financial losses could persist, undermining the very efficiencies the reform seeks to achieve.
Oduntan expressed hope that the planned rollout of the NSW would follow global best practices, delivering a truly unified platform capable of reducing delays, cutting costs, and resolving long-standing inter-agency conflicts at the nation’s ports.
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Supporting this perspective, Dr. Kayode Farinto, Chief Executive Officer of Wealthy Honey Investment, warned that Nigeria’s previous digital transitions have come at a high cost. He noted that persistent connectivity failures during earlier systems implementations delayed declaration processes, and submitted documents were sometimes not recognised by the platforms, resulting in more than N7 billion in lost revenue for the industry without any redress.
Farinto also highlighted additional burdens imposed by regulatory agencies, citing examination fees charged by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) despite offshore certification. “Importers are charged between N3,000 and N7,000 per container for examinations, even when conformity certificates have already been issued. This discourages trade and encourages circumvention,” he said.
He further decried port police interventions in cleared goods, warning that arbitrary or excessive interventions risk encouraging extortion and undermining trade facilitation.
Dr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), represented by Director of Special Duties Moses Abere, underscored the need for maritime journalism to evolve alongside a more complex, digitalised sector.
“As the maritime sector grows more complex, driven by digitalisation, new trade realities, regulatory reforms, and global logistical shifts, journalism must evolve accordingly,” Akutah said. He reiterated the Council’s commitment, as the Port Economic Regulator, to promoting efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness in the sector.
He added that the theme of the seminar—“A Decade of Collaboration for Impact: Strengthening Maritime Journalism for the Future”—reflects the critical role of partnerships in building a stronger maritime industry. “Over the years, maritime journalists have worked closely with regulators, operators, policymakers, and stakeholders to illuminate challenges and opportunities in the sector,” he said. “The media remains an essential partner in informing stakeholders, shaping public understanding, and strengthening accountability.”
In his welcome address, FMNL CEO Sesan Onileimo highlighted the urgent need for maritime journalists to upscale their knowledge, particularly in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and social media.
“All of these developments have combined to put journalists under intense pressure to report factual information promptly while remaining relevant,” Onileimo said. “The Centre has been established to bridge this gap, ensuring maritime journalists, regardless of experience, remain equipped to deliver accurate, impactful reporting.”
Onileimo noted that the Centre is open for partnerships with corporate stakeholders, emphasizing that collaboration is key to fostering a more effective, transparent, and accountable maritime industry.
The discussions at the seminar underscored a clear message: the successful implementation of the National Single Window is contingent on resolving structural and inter-agency challenges, adopting best practices, and ensuring all stakeholders, regulators, operators, and the media, work in concert to streamline operations, reduce costs, and protect the interests of importers and the national economy.
