Vice President Kashim Shettima says the reform will reduce cargo clearance time and boost transparency across ports in Lagos, Onne, and Port Harcourt.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to fully implement the National Single Window (NSW) policy by 2026, as part of efforts to enhance trade facilitation, transparency, and port efficiency nationwide.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee meeting, described the NSW as a “game changer” for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He said the initiative aims to cut cargo clearance time to under seven days and make Nigerian Ports including Apapa Port in Lagos, Onne Port, and Port Harcourt Port—rank among the most efficient in Africa by 2026.
According to Shettima, inefficiencies currently make Nigeria’s port operations 30% more expensive than those of neighbouring countries. He directed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), NAFDAC, SON, and other regulatory bodies to align under a unified digital system.
He also revealed that an upcoming Executive Order on Joint Physical Inspection, awaiting approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will address bottlenecks and foster inter-agency collaboration.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, and PEBEC Director-General Zahrah Audu, both pledged support, emphasizing the need for synergy, technology adoption, and transparency in the maritime value chain.
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