Shippers’ Council, Revenue Service move to cushion impact of Single Window delays

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) have called on shipping companies and terminal operators to grant waivers to importers and clearing agents affected by delays arising from the rollout of the National Single Window (NSW) at Nigeria’s seaports.

The appeal was made during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the NSC headquarters in Lagos, which brought together key players across the port value chain, including the NSW Secretariat, terminal operators, and shipping companies, to assess the early-stage performance of the system.

Speaking at the session, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Akutah Pius, described the National Single Window as a transformative reform designed to streamline port operations, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency.

The platform, which officially went live on March 27, 2026, is expected to serve as a unified digital interface for processing trade documentation, reducing human contact, cutting costs, and boosting Nigeria’s ease of doing business.

Akutah

However, he acknowledged that the transition has not been without challenges.

“The National Single Window is a significant milestone that has brought optimism to stakeholders. But like any major reform, it comes with initial challenges that we must collectively address,” Akutah said.

He noted that the engagement was convened to identify bottlenecks—particularly delays in cargo clearance—and develop practical, collaborative solutions.

“Things are gradually taking shape. We must work together as a family to ensure a smooth implementation process,” he added.

Adedeji and Akutah

Call for Relief measures, the Chairman of the NRS, Zach Adedeji, urged industry operators to show understanding by granting waivers on demurrage and storage charges incurred due to system-related delays.

He emphasised that such disruptions are typical during the early stages of major reforms and should not be borne solely by importers.

“Anywhere in the world, when new systems are introduced, there are hitches. What matters is how stakeholders come together to resolve them,” Adedeji stated.

“These delays are not part of normal business operations. That is why we are seeking your support to cushion the impact on importers while the system stabilises.”

He disclosed that some operators already have internal mechanisms for granting waivers in verified cases, expressing optimism that broader industry support would follow.

Akutah further stressed the urgency for terminal operators and concessionaires to accelerate the automation of their processes, noting that seamless integration with the NSW platform is critical to achieving its intended gains.

“With the advent of the National Single Window, full automation is no longer optional. Stakeholders must align their systems to ensure efficiency and faster cargo clearance,” he said.

While stakeholders acknowledged the long-term benefits of the Single Window initiative, concerns were raised over operational delays and technical glitches that have slowed cargo processing since its launch.

Responding, industry operators reiterated their support for the reform but cautioned against practices that could encourage inefficiency.

The General Manager of Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML), Tunde Keshinro, noted that while genuine cases would be considered, the system must not reward inefficiency.

“This is a national project that will benefit everyone. There are efficient importers, and those with genuine needs will be attended to, but we must not encourage inefficiencies,” he said.

Despite the early challenges, stakeholders expressed confidence that the National Single Window would deliver significant long-term benefits, including improved trade facilitation, reduced costs, and enhanced competitiveness of Nigerian ports.

Analysts note that similar systems in other countries have significantly reduced clearance times and improved revenue collection, though initial implementation phases often come with disruptions.

For now, the message from regulators is clear: reform must go hand in hand with relief.

With sustained collaboration, system upgrades, and temporary support measures such as waivers, stakeholders believe the National Single Window will ultimately transform Nigeria’s maritime sector into a more efficient, transparent, and globally competitive system.