The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a decisive step to modernise its trade ecosystem with the launch of Phase 1 of the National Single Window (NSW) in furtherance of its coordinated reforms in the maritime sector designed to cut cargo dwell time, reduce trade costs, and unlock economic growth.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed on Tuesday that the step became imperative due to lapses in operational efficiency in the Nigerian ports, particularly the cargo dwell time of between 18–21 days, which is approximately 475% higher than the global average of four days.
The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Dr. Ogho Okiti, in a statement noted that the long cargo dwell time in the ports had as of last year resulted in high cost of doing business, delays for importers and exporters, and reduced competitiveness of Nigerian goods
He pointed out that this meant the primary bottleneck was not physical infrastructure alone but also process inefficiency.
- Advertisement -
According to him, the government’s response is deliberate and integrated approach to fixing the transaction delays at the ports.
Specifically, the media aide to the minister stated that the Phase 1 of the NSW directly targeted 73% transaction delay component by introducing one single digital platform for trade documentation, eliminating multiple agency visits and duplicative processes, thereby enabling electronic submission of Licences, Permits, Certificates (LPCOs), digital manifest processing, centralised risk management across agencies, and transparent electronic payments.
On the impact of the NSW Phase 1 deployment on the ports’ dwell time, Okiti maintained that it would lead to faster document processing, reduced human interface and bottlenecks, and predictable and transparent timelines
He stated that as part of the port modernization measures, the launch of the NSW Phase 1 would also help in fixing physical bottlenecks as the upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Ports, which handle 70% of Nigeria’s trade, will help in addressing congestion at terminals, inefficient cargo handling, outdated infrastructure; and faster cargo discharge and evacuation, reduced port congestion, and improved turnaround time for vessels and trucks
Okiti, who listed sundry benefits of the reform initiatives to importers, exporters, manufacturers, and the Nigerian economy in terms of revenue generation and job creation, among others maintained that the NSW and port modernisation were part of a wider economic strategy of the present administration aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving ease of doing business, attracting and scaling investment, and targeting 7% medium-term economic growth
He stressed that the launch of the National Single Window and the upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Ports represented a turning point in Nigeria’s trade and economic trajectory as they are not just reforms but the execution at scale designed to make Nigeria faster, more competitive, and fully integrated into global trade.
