Licensed customs agents and freight forwarders under the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) have endorsed the Federal Government’s National Single Window (NSW) Project, describing it as a transformative reform for Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors.
The two associations pledged their full support for the initiative during separate town hall meetings held in Apapa, Lagos, where ANLCA members met on Tuesday and NAGAFF members on Wednesday to deliberate on the implementation framework of the project.
Speaking at the ANLCA engagement, the National President, Emenike Nwokeoji, described the NSW as a long-awaited reform aimed at eliminating duplication of documentation and repeated submissions across government agencies.
He commended the political will demonstrated by the present administration and expressed confidence that the platform would resolve overlapping functions among regulatory bodies.
According to him, the initiative would enhance transparency by ensuring that any objections raised on the platform are visible to all stakeholders, while also accelerating cargo clearance processes.
He added that the system would enable agents to submit documents remotely and track cargo movement seamlessly.
“This project is going to help in making our jobs easier. That’s why we are giving it our full support. I believe strongly, on behalf of licensed customs agents, that it will succeed,” he said.
At the NAGAFF town hall meeting, National President Tochukwu Ezisi described the project as timely and necessary for improving efficiency and transparency in the maritime industry.
He affirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the reform, noting that with adequate training and stakeholder engagement, the initiative would significantly enhance ease of doing business and contribute positively to the national economy.
Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, also hailed the Single Window as a major breakthrough for the maritime sector, citing its interactive features as key to streamlining business transactions and promoting due process across the industry.
“The Single Window platform is the best thing that is going to happen in the maritime sector because it is interactive. NAGAFF members will fully support this project as we remain committed to due process,” he stated.
Both associations urged their members to embrace the programme proactively, recalling past transitions where delayed adaptation led to operational setbacks.
They emphasised the importance of participating in the training sessions organised by the NSW team and encouraged members to register online, attend designated training centres, and cascade the knowledge to their staff.
Earlier, the Director of the NSW Project, Tola Fakolade, presented a phased rollout strategy designed to ensure a smooth transition and mitigate potential challenges.
He explained that implementation would be carried out in three phases over a maximum period of 12 months.
Phase One, scheduled to commence on March 27, 2026, will cover import-related processes including applications for licences, certificates and permits (LCPO), submission of air and sea cargo manifests, centralised risk management for regulatory agencies such as SON, NAFDAC and NAQS, as well as payments for LCPO.
Phase Two, planned for the second and third quarters of 2026, will focus on export-related processes, including LCPO submissions for exports, Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) applications, initiation of Form M processes on the Single Window platform, and deployment of data analytics, reports and dashboards.
Phase Three, slated for the first quarter of 2027, will address declaration submissions, duties assessment and payment, Advanced Risk Analytics (ARA), Trade Visualisation System (TVS), and operational reporting tools.
Fakolade assured stakeholders that processes not covered in the initial phase would continue on the existing platforms of relevant government agencies.
He also disclosed plans for an intensive two-day hands-on training programme for licensed customs agents and freight forwarders, to be conducted over four weeks nationwide.
In addition, support centres equipped with internet access will be established at major ports, beginning with Apapa Port, alongside help desks and walk-in centres to assist users after launch.
While commending the leadership of ANLCA and NAGAFF for their early endorsement, Fakolade called for wider sensitisation among members, urging them to act as ambassadors of the initiative, which he described as the beginning of a new era for trade facilitation in Nigeria.
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