Prime Reporters Annual Lecture: Stakeholders Seek Smarter Greener Ports

The National Single Window Secretariat has set a target of reducing cargo clearance time in Nigeria to one day, from the current average of two to three weeks, as maritime stakeholders called for smarter ports, greener logistics and improved coordination among regulatory agencies.

The National Coordinator of the National Single Window Secretariat, Mr. Tola Fakolade, disclosed this at the Primetime Reporters’ 5th Annual Lecture and Awards held at  Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday.

Fakolade, who was represented by a Deputy Director at the Secretariat, Mr. Jude Oboh, said the initiative was designed to simplify trade procedures, reduce cargo dwell time, eliminate unnecessary physical examinations and lower the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

He explained that the Federal Government’s directive was to reduce cargo clearance time to one day for both imports and exports, noting that prolonged cargo clearance had contributed significantly to the high cost of doing business in the country.

According to him, the National Single Window seeks to address these challenges through a centralised digital platform that allows importers and exporters to submit documentation once, enabling relevant government agencies to access the information they require without repeatedly requesting the same documents.

He said the platform would also improve transparency, strengthen risk management and enable regulatory agencies to identify compliant traders for faster cargo processing while directing greater scrutiny towards high-risk transactions.

Fakolade noted that Nigeria’s current practice of subjecting approximately 95 per cent of cargo to intrusive physical examination was excessive, adding that the Secretariat hoped to reduce the proportion to below 10 per cent in line with international best practices.

He attributed the high rate of physical examination partly to the absence of a centralised risk management system and the overlapping responsibilities of regulatory agencies operating at the ports.

The National Single Window, he said, would facilitate information-sharing among agencies, allowing them to assess cargo risks collectively and reduce unnecessary inspections.

He added that the Federal Government had also directed that Nigeria’s cargo clearance costs should, at worst, be comparable to those of other West African countries, where some Nigerian-bound cargo had been diverted in recent years.

Providing an update on the initiative, Fakolade said the platform had issued more than 156,000 licences and permits within six months, eliminating the need for applicants to visit multiple regulatory agencies physically.

He disclosed that more than 12,000 importers and clearing agents had registered on the platform, while five ministries, departments and agencies were already using it.

According to him, the platform’s first phase, which focuses on non-oil imports, has commenced with the integration of pre-shipment documentation and permits issued by relevant regulatory agencies.

He explained that importers could now apply for applicable licences and permits through the platform, while shipping manifests submitted by shipping lines and airlines were also being channelled through the system to the relevant authorities.

Fakolade said the Secretariat was preparing to extend the initiative to exports, with plans to commence operations by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the implementation schedule.

He added that the third phase would cover the oil and gas sector and trade visualisation solutions, which are expected to provide greater visibility into Nigeria’s trade activities.

He urged maritime stakeholders, including freight forwarders, shipping companies and regulatory agencies, to continue providing feedback to improve the system.

In his keynote address, a former lecturer at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kamany Marine Services Limited, Dr. Charles Okorefe, said Nigeria still had significant ground to cover in developing smart and environmentally sustainable ports.

Speaking on the theme, “Smarter Gateways, Greener Logistics: Leveraging Port Community System and National Single Window for Seamless Trade Flows,” Okorefe described ports as critical gateways for international commerce whose efficiency must extend beyond receiving vessels and clearing cargo to ensuring the seamless movement of goods.

He explained that smart ports deploy advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain and automation, to accelerate cargo handling, reduce energy consumption, minimise delays and lower operating costs.

According to him, these technologies can improve vessel scheduling, automate cargo-handling operations and facilitate real-time monitoring of port equipment.

He observed that Nigerian ports had yet to achieve the level of automation and technological integration evident in leading international ports such as Rotterdam and Singapore.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos