The implementation of a National Single Window for Nigeria will improve port efficiency, improved revenue collection, and drive economic transformation, according to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The Minister stated this on Wednesday in Lagos at the Stakeholders’ Forum on the Establishment of the National Single Window (NSW).
The NSW project was launched in April 2024 by President Bola Tinubu as a pioneering cross-government system designed to streamline trade facilitation by integrating and syncing data from various government agencies to improve economic efficiency.
Speaking at the event, Oyetola further stated that the implementation of the NSW project will further enhance trade facilitation in the country.
“The implementation of the Single Window System can enhance efficiency, potentially reducing these costs by at least 25%. By streamlining operations, improving transparency, and minimizing delays, the system not only drives cost savings but also strengthens overall trade facilitation. The cumulative impact across all areas—including reduced costs, enhanced efficiency, and greater transparency—ultimately contributes to the overall ease of doing business,” he said.
Oyetola noted that countries like Singapore and the Netherlands have demonstrated how Single Window systems can revolutionise port operations, thus elevating their status as global trade hubs.
Stating that Nigeria can achieve similar success by fully embracing this initiative, the Minister said, “This initiative will undoubtedly raise awareness and enlighten participants on the benefits of NSW as the Government works to improve trade efficiency for the collective economic prosperity of all Nigerians.
“Today, we convene as partners in progress to explore how the implementation of the National Single Window system can streamline trade facilitation and catalyse the growth of our blue economy.”
He also highlighted the immense potential of the marine and blue economy sectors to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP, create thousands of jobs, and drive regional and global trade.
“Despite this potential, the marine and blue economy faces challenges, including inefficiencies in port operations, bureaucratic obstacles, and insufficient coordination among stakeholders, which have impeded its growth. Addressing these challenges requires an efficient, integrated, and secure logistics ecosystem—a goal that the National Single Window system is poised to enable.”
The Minister emphasised that the NSW initiative will not only simplify trade processes by enabling stakeholders to seamlessly coordinate trade-related transactions across multiple government agencies through a unified electronic platform, it will also eliminate “redundancies, reduces processing times, and ensures seamless coordination among government agencies and private sector actors.”
Describing the NSW initiative as a bedrock for efficiency and competitiveness in global trade, Oyetola stated that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its agencies have ramped up efforts to address infrastructure gaps and deploy systems and equipment necessary for a smooth transition to the new platform.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters investor confidence, promotes transparency, and attracts the investment needed to unlock the full potential of our sector,” he added, while commending the visionary leadership and commitment of President Tinubu to unlocking opportunities, promoting transparency, and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in trade.
“The executive decision to implement the National Single Window system alongside the Port Community System (led by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy through the Nigerian Port Authority) marks a pivotal step in this direction, demonstrating the government’s commitment to modernising trade processes and maximising the utilisation of our marine resources,” he said.
Highlighting the efforts of the Ministry to improve the maritime sector, Oyetola said plans are already underway to modernize Nigeria’s port infrastructure, and revamp existing ports, with Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports as pilot projects.
He said, “This modernization addresses aged facilities nearing the end of their economic lifespan and enhances hinterland connectivity. We are also encouraging private-sector participation in developing greenfield ports and other infrastructure projects. Additionally, the NPA has acquired two state-of-the-art tugboats to strengthen its fleet, with plans to procure more marine crafts to boost operational efficiency.
“The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has commenced a strategic plan and modality by engaging our stakeholders looking at the best way to establish a National Flag Carrier through a Private Public Partnership (PPP). This initiative aims to generate employment, reposition the maritime sector, and provide revenue streams for the government.”
On the issue of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Oyetola said arrangements are being finalized for its disbursement to support the development of the shipping sector.
According to Oyetola, these concerted efforts will create an ecosystem for the country’s maritime sector and blue economy to thrive, while driving Nigeria’s economic growth and enhancing its regional and global competitiveness.