Listen to story here
Former Acting National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto, has called on the Federal Government to temporarily suspend the National Single Window (NSW) platform, citing severe operational disruptions at the nation’s ports.
Speaking during a chat with journalists, Farinto said the system’s rollout on March 27th 2026 has significantly hindered cargo declaration processes, a core requirement for port operations. He noted that the challenges encountered go beyond initial technical glitches, describing the situation as a systemic breakdown affecting trade flow.
According to him, the disruption has led to a buildup of cargo at the ports, with importers incurring rising demurrage and storage costs. He also raised concerns over increased charges by some service providers, which he said have compounded the financial strain on businesses.
Farinto attributed the situation to inadequate pre-launch planning and limited stakeholder engagement, arguing that key industry players—including shipping companies and terminal operators—were not sufficiently integrated into the implementation process.
He further questioned the capacity of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to enforce compliance among international shipping lines, stressing the need for broader institutional coordination.
Describing the development as a major setback for the maritime sector, Farinto warned of its wider economic implications and called for urgent government intervention. He recommended a temporary reversion to the previous system while technical and operational issues affecting the NSW platform are addressed.
He also emphasised the importance of establishing a robust legal and regulatory framework to support the initiative, noting that such a structure is critical for effective implementation.
Farinto urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to stabilise port operations and restore stakeholder confidence, adding that while the Single Window remains a strategic reform, its current execution requires immediate review and recalibration.
