By Abiodun Abdullai
The Federal Government has intensified plans to implement a National Single Window system at Nigeria's ports by 2026, aiming to reduce cargo clearance time to under seven days and boost transparency in maritime trade operations.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee meeting in Abuja, said the digital trade platform—scheduled for rollout in the first quarter of 2026—will harmonise documentation, minimise human interface, and improve port efficiency across the country.
"Our goal is to reduce the average cargo clearance time in Nigeria to under seven days by the end of 2026 and position our ports among the top three most efficient trade gateways in Africa. The National Single Window will be a game changer," Shettima said.
He lamented that cargo dwell time in Nigeria currently averages 18 to 21 days, compared to five to seven days in Ghana and four days in Cotonou, describing the delays as costly to businesses and harmful to export competitiveness.
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According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the initiative seeks to reduce clearance costs currently estimated at 30 percent higher than peer economies.
Shettima also revealed that a draft Executive Order mandating joint cargo inspections to eliminate multiple checks and bureaucratic overlaps has been submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approval.
He directed key agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC, and Immigration Service to develop a roadmap for improving operational efficiency and strengthening fair trade practices.
"The era of siloed operations must end. Inter-agency rivalry must give way to collaboration. We are only as efficient as our synergy allows," he added.
The Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Audu, emphasised the need for unified reforms to boost Nigeria's business climate, while NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, said deeper collaboration, technology adoption, and capacity building remain essential to achieving the new efficiency target.
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