Customs agents say NSW will ensure faster, efficient trade at ports

Freight forwarders in Nigeria’s Eastern zone, have expressed optimism over the potential of the recently launched National Single Window (NSW) to ensure faster, more efficient trade at the nation’s ports.

This comes as area commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the zone target higher revenue generation, through the seamless trade facilitation promised, by the National Single Window.

The NSW, a centralised electronic platform, was launched on March 27, 2026 to streamline international trade processes by allowing traders to submit required documentation through a single entry point, thus reducing paperwork and delays.

Peter Ekunkoya, a member of the National Single Window project team, noted during a Port Harcourt town hall meeting, held on Saturday, February 24, 2026, that Nigeria’s current dwell time sharply contrasts with global benchmarks, like four days in Durban.

He said that the NSW seeks to lower transactional costs, enhance transparency, and increase revenue.

“Where more than one agency is regulating a product, we would ultimately use technology to streamline the process. At the end of the day, we are working on harmonizing those HS codes so that there is a primary agency that will be responsible and it will reduce the overlap,” he added.

Immaculata Nyong, Customs Area Comptroller of Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Command, Onne, while receiving members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists Associations of Nigeria (COMJAN) in her office on March 31, 2026, expressed optimism that the NSW will boost trade facilitation.

She acknowledged that the smooth transition from NICIS (Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System) to B’Odogwu had boosted revenue, while expressing hope that the National Single Window would enable the command to achieve even higher figures.

Nyong said, “National Single Window is part of trade facilitation. As it comes on board, there will be teething problems at the beginning. It might not be much, but there’ll still be teething problems.”

She noted that the system would ensure a seamless process, adding: “We will not have a lot of interfaces with people. It’s supposed to be a seamless process. You talk to me, I talk to you. We all stay on the platform, which makes it faster. So trade will be much, much faster and facilitated with Single Window.”

Ifeanyi Isikaku, Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Seaport chapter, earlier this year said that his group identifies with the NSW’s aim of making cargo clearance more efficient for port users.

Isikaku noted the Single Window is expected “to quicken cargo clearance at the port and eliminate delays—all the issues bogging down trade, especially with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) or other agencies, you won’t need to visit their offices. Everyone stays on the platform and sees everything in real time. So you clearing agents get issues resolved immediately.”

“It’s something that government has brought to us and we all have accepted it because it’s going to quicken the clearance of cargoes in the port,” he said.

Isikaku said, “Before now, we’ve advocated 48-hour cargo clearance and eliminating any iota of port delay. This means government has heard our cries and brought the Single Window—to ensure cargoes exit within 48 hours.”

Ralph John, Professor and President of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists Associations of Nigeria (COMJAN), expressed belief that the NSW would simplify operations at the ports.

John pointed out that the Single Window initiative not only promotes efficiency at the ports, but also affords Nigeria the opportunity of aligning with global best practices.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure full implementation of the NSW, describing the loss in time and productivity at the ports as counterproductive for national development.