National Single Window Set to Transform Maritime Trade, Lagos Town Hall Highlights скачать в хорошем качестве

National Single Window Set to Transform Maritime Trade, Lagos Town Hall Highlights

National Single Window Set to Transform Maritime Trade, Lagos Town Hall Highlights Stakeholders at a Lagos town hall meeting have expressed optimism over the upcoming launch of the National Single Window, describing it as a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime industry. The two-day event, held in Lagos ahead of the March 27, 2026 rollout of the first phase of the platform, brought together government officials, industry players, private sector representatives and Members of the National association of government approved freight forwarders (Nagaff). The director of the National Single Window project, Mr. Tola Fakolade, assured participants that the platform will eliminate multiple documentation submissions at the ports, simplify trade procedures, and significantly reduce delays. He explained that the system aligns with international best practices promoted by the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. “The single window is about creating one entry point for all end-to-end processes in imports and exports,You log in once, submit your documents once, and complete all procedures without repeated uploads.” Mr. Fakolade posited that the platform was developed over 18 months with extensive input from key industry stakeholders, and it now provides a unified interface, harmonized data, e-payment capabilities, centralized risk management, and enhanced transparency. The Founder of NAGAFF, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, hailed the platform as the best development for the maritime industry as at this time, stating that it will make business seamless. Dr Aniebonam, admonished members of Nagaff to key into the new system and be trained, expressing that he have made this known to the association members long ago, that they must be open to be trained especially in becoming computer literate which was one of the reasons Nagaff academy was established to educate Members. However, he revealed his dissatisfaction based on the fact that full implementation currently takes up to a year due to the phased rollout. “Ideally, we should have faced the muster all at once, but the key is that there is room for education and gradual adaptation.” High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, the National President of NAGAFF, described the project as a step in the right direction which would boost investor confidence in the sector. He noted that bringing all agencies into a single digital window improves efficiency, while recognizing challenges such as network issues and overlapping agency functions, which are being addressed. Similarly, the President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Kingsley Nwokeoji, remarked that the initiative was long overdue. He said it would eliminate duplicate document submissions and repeated processes that have slowed cargo clearance for years, emphasizing that objections by agencies would now be transparent and visible to all stakeholders, improving overall cargo release time. Participants highlighted benefits such as reduced paperwork, lower operational costs, fewer face-to-face encounters, faster clearance, and better trade visibility. End-user training was stressed as critical for stakeholders to navigate the platform effectively. While some concerns were raised over system transition, network reliability, manpower gaps, and integration with existing customs systems, Fakolade assured that support centers equipped with multiple internet providers will be deployed across major ports to ensure seamless operation. The town hall concluded with a consensus that collaboration, training, and awareness will be crucial to the success of the National Single Window, which stakeholders believe will usher in a new era of efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.