₦airaland Forum

FG Targets 2026 for Full Implementation of Single-Window Policy to Boost Nigerian Ports Efficiency

The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to deploy the National Single Window (NSW) system at all major ports by 2026, in a bid to transform trade facilitation, increase efficiency, and reduce operational costs across the maritime sector. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Vice President Kashim Shettima, addressing the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, described the NSW initiative as a “game changer” for the country’s port operations. He explained that the system would harmonize documentation, reduce unnecessary human contact, and increase transparency in cargo clearance processes.
Efficiency Goals and Targets

Shettima revealed that the policy’s primary goal is to cut cargo clearance time to under seven days by the end of 2026, aiming to position Nigeria’s ports among the top three most efficient trade gateways in Africa.

He warned that current inefficiencies make the cost of clearing goods in Nigeria roughly 30 percent higher than in neighboring countries, discouraging investment, raising consumer prices, and reducing export competitiveness.

“Our ports record cargo dwell times 475 percent above the global average benchmark. We cannot afford to continue down this path,” Shettima stressed.

Collaboration Across Agencies

The Vice President directed agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), NAFDAC, and SON to work together in creating a weights and measures framework that ensures fair trade practices and protects consumers from fraudulent activities.

He also expressed optimism regarding the pending Executive Order on Joint Physical Inspection, awaiting approval from President Tinubu. Shettima said the order will eliminate bottlenecks, foster inter-agency collaboration, and enhance predictability and transparency in port operations.

“It marks the dawn of a new era where agencies work together and systems speak a common language,” he said.

Shettima emphasized that inter-agency rivalry must give way to collaboration, adding,

“No reform succeeds without ownership. Our efficiency depends on how well we work together.”

Calls for Accountability and Stakeholder Cooperation

Zahrah Audu, Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), highlighted how inefficient port procedures negatively impact Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, urging stronger accountability and cooperation among stakeholders to make Nigerian ports globally competitive.

Similarly, Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, stated that synergy and partnership among agencies are essential for operational efficiency. He noted that progress is already visible through joint inspection and coordinated boarding operations.

Dantsoho stressed the importance of technology adoption, infrastructure upgrades, and human capacity development as key drivers to enhance port competitiveness and maintain Nigeria’s relevance in regional and global trade.

The Federal Government’s plan to fully implement the National Single Window by 2026 marks a critical step toward modernizing Nigeria’s maritime trade sector. By reducing cargo dwell time, cutting costs, and ensuring transparency, the initiative has the potential to position Nigeria as a leading trade hub in Africa. However, its success will rely heavily on inter-agency collaboration, accountability, and effective adoption of technology across all ports.

https://eyesoflagos.com/fg-targets-2026-for-full-implementation-of-single-window-policy-to-boost-nigerian-ports-efficiency/

All the best to them in the implementation

By the time APC is done with Nigeria, y'all won't have strength to stand on any mandate.

Another story again. APC can't you show workings propaganda government

How much are you paid again

helinues:
All the best to them in the implementation

PheelzAlmighty:
How much are you paid again

Did anyone send you to be labouring in vain?

With so much corruption and lack of discipline you are wasting your time.

Fight corruption first.

PheelzAlmighty:
By the time APC is done with Nigeria, y'all won't have strength to stand on any mandate.

How is making cargo clearance easier for importers making things bad for Nigeria.?

I am beginning to believe that some of you opposition guys are also on payrolls like the apc supporters.

A round of applause for you Sir 👏
This is a welcome development

Whatever government does, if people are not held accountable for their misdeeds, actions and inactions, we're making no head way.


There should be consequences for actions and inactions taking by people to deter those who might consider walking through same path.

Is it for agbado or is it for ewa?

Franking:
With so much corruption and lack of discipline you are wasting your time.

Fight corruption first.

Won't the policy help with fighting corruption?

nairalanda1:
Won't the policy help with fighting corruption?

How do you fight corruption without effectively prosecuting perpetrators and jailing them to serve as deterant and punishment?

Franking:
How do you fight corruption without effectively prosecuting perpetrators and jailing them to serve as deterant and punishment?

Yes you do that, but the policy is also going to help reduce opportunities for corruption

Una say first quarter of next year and now una dey change mouth

nairalanda1:
Yes you do that, but the policy is also going to help reduce opportunities for corruption

What Nigeria requires is a vigorous fight against rampant corruption not this child's play.

Franking:
What Nigeria requires is a vigorous fight against rampant corruption not this child's play.

Which won't happen because most of you guys are only interested in fighting corruption when your side is not in power.

I'm kind of cynical when I hear people calling for fighting corruption since we got back to democracy.

Nigerian Port is over due for one time charge. Pay and pickup your goods. Time to remove all yeye union and roadblocks of agberos

Kalo kalo government policies that is only written on paper and news. 2025 budget is yet to be implemented and we are approaching 2026. Renew hope my foot. Shame on them

It's obvious this is a damage control to these criminal and their leeching policies.

alphonsoolajide:
FG Targets 2026 for Full Implementation of Single-Window Policy to Boost Nigerian Ports Efficiency

https://eyesoflagos.com/fg-targets-2026-for-full-implementation-of-single-window-policy-to-boost-nigerian-ports-efficiency/

Oga,Vice President,Una de try.
But it's good to talk Big,Big, Grammar o!
For what NIGERIANS want IS SOLUTIONS:
- TO PORTS MALADMINISTRATION, UNNECESSARY DELAY AND PILFERING OF GOODS - THROUGH THE PORTS.
SAME WITH REFINERIES OF NNPC AND ITS ASSOCIATES.
WE WANT REAL VALUES TO NIGERIAN HAPLESS ECONOMIC STATES,In spite OF THE HUMONGOUS MONEY/ RESOURCES!

How do you fight corruption? Please explain so we all learn here.

Franking:
What Nigeria requires is a vigorous fight against rampant corruption not this child's play.

Barzinime:
How do you fight corruption? Please explain so we all learn here.

Go to China and study their style. Very stiff penalty for the guilty and of course a sound judicial system.

Cum4me:
Another story again. APC can't you show workings propaganda government

All you wanna hear is bad things happening in Nigeria.

I agree with you. Not this lip service approach.
An entire family was sentenced to death due to corruption.
If we apply such here, many politicians will not even contest in the first place

Franking:
Go to China and study their style. Very stiff penalty for the guilty and of course a sound judicial system.

PheelzAlmighty:
By the time APC is done with Nigeria, y'all won't have strength to stand on any mandate.

Omo Nigerians should ever have allowed APC near power they are a calamity, Nigerians fell for lies, propaganda, and sweet mouths while the poor were induced,the result has been devastating
APC is an ill wind that blows nobody any good
Nigerians must stop them ,this regime should be their last,,if Nigerians life,peace and well-being matters to them ,no sentiments, they have been tested and found seriously wanting

Boost Nigeria since 1900 ,up till now we never see the boosting

Don’t tell me to go anywhere, I asked you to explain as you know the way out.
Isn’t it better to just keep shut if you dont know what you are talking about.
Stiff penalties without putting in place policy to control or detect fraud…do you guys just type for the sake of typing or for us to think you are intelligent? And when they start hanging people or sentencing people to death, you all start shouting dictatorship.

Franking:
Go to China and study their style. Very stiff penalty for the guilty and of course a sound judicial system.

During Jonathan’s government, we had a Single window portal for Form M , and PAAR Application. PAAR is the documents that states duty to pay to government. Then Government had a base minimum per container. Vehicles were not cleared through PAAR, they had a separate desk.

Although, the Customs had a scanning platform to facilitate ease of clearance but many agents avoided it because it made cargo clearance more complicated. I explain: you hire a truck to haul your cargo for scanning. The process might take two days to get your cargo into the scanner. it fails inspection. Many cargo do fail inspection especially mixed commodities. Now you have to return your cargo for physical inspection. For all these time, you have to pay for scanning, pay trucker and also pay demurrage to trucker. This complexity makes every agent want to book for physical examination avoiding scanning because it was a waste of time and money.

Physical examination happens to be a bit more straight forward. Book exam. Submit your declaration to Chief examiner. All agencies: police, CIU, DC squad, NDLEA, SON, NESREA, chief examiner, and now they have added compliance team to the inspection routine.

The current administration changed all that. Scrapped the single window. Canceled contract with Webb fountain that managed the platform. They introduced B’Odogwu platform and 846 for irregular vehicles clearance.

According to this report, they want to introduce a New Single Window again. Aren’t we going round in cycles?

The agencies involved in cargo clearance are just too many. Too many people to settle. It makes cargo clearance very expensive

CPC
Valuation
FOU
Strike force
Post audit
Police ( sometimes Marine police)
SON
NDLEA
NESRAE
CIU
DC Squad
Examiners
Chief Examiner
Compliance team
Gate
Labor

Tell me how clearing will be cheap and easy?

IMPOSSIBLE!