National Single Window in Nigeria: Making It Work Imperatives

By Kelvin Kagbare

 

Nigeria’s National Single Window, NSW, is part of ongoing trade facilitation reforms in the country intended to create a single digital platform for importers, exporters, government agencies and trader/business persons involved in international trade.

Success of the NSW should therefor not be measured by how many agencies are connected to it for now. Of greater importance should be whether it cuts clearance time, reduces costs, breaks bureaucracy and eliminates corruption.

A single digital platform is just a  trade portal if bureaucratic processes remain the same. If traders still navigate multiple “check points”, if they go through same inspections and undergo multiple documentation requirements then digitization does not transform anything if the usual trade process is not transformed and improved upon.

Suggested Solutions:

Stakeholders are of the view that government needs comprehensive business process overhaul, eliminate duplicate documentation, cut unnecessary checks, remove multiple inspections and digitize the entire port  processes

For the NSW integration to work optimally, Customs, SON, NAFDAC, NDLEA, NPA, NPERA, terminal operators, shipping lines, banks and other stakeholders must work together by working  in unison and synergizing their operations. Trade document should not be repeatedly submitted to different agencies for verification, approvals/clearance. A situation where a trader submits a document and uses same many times; where once a trader provides information, authorized agencies get automatic notification/access will eliminate resubmissions and save time/costs.

For the NSW to achieve its national objectives, government needs to create a national trader and cargo risk-management system where cargoes are categorized into getting expedited clearance while as other consignments get proper scrutiny.

We that believe that 24-hour cargo clearance needs measurable accountability. Government should publish a Port Clearance Performance system which shows average clearance time, list containers awaiting agency action, track inspection delays and reports the percentage of consignments cleared within target periods.

Maritime stakeholder agree that digitization must prevent corruption, not just move it around. They suggest that every transaction gets a unique reference number. Timelines/stamps matter. Someone owns each action. Unexplained delays should trigger automatic alerts and escalation for immediate action/intervention.

Traders need effective grievance resolution. A Trade Facilitation Resolution Centre lets businesses report unjustified delays and get timely intervention. Unresolved complaints automatically escalate to higher authorities.

Digital reform requires physical infrastructure. Apart from physical infrastructure, reliable internet and electricity, scanners and automated gates, efficient terminals, Integrated cargo-tracking systems are necessities-without which, digital clearance cannot translate into faster physical movement of cargo.

The NSW needs process re-engineering, data integration, risk management, automation, transparency, infrastructure and accountability to work efficiently.

Until a compliant trader move goods through a Nigerian port quickly, predictably, transparently and with minimal human interference/intervention, the NSW is not at work.

Until the NSW develops from an ICT project and becomes an instrument for trade facilitation, economic competitiveness, revenue generation/protection, anti-corruption instrument and national development, everyone involved must keep working on it and bring it at par with what works in other countries of the world.

The imperatives and urgent need to make the National Single Window work are clear, its mangers should double up and fast track it full deployment in Nigeria.