By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Former Acting National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Dr. Kayode Farinto, has called on the Federal Government to urgently suspend the newly introduced National Single Window system, warning that its implementation has crippled port operations and disrupted trade activities across the country.
Speaking in an interview, Farinto expressed strong dissatisfaction with the system’s performance since its rollout on March 27, stating that stakeholders have been unable to carry out cargo declarations, one of the most fundamental processes in port operations.
“Ordinarily, when a new system is introduced, we expect some glitches. But what we are experiencing now goes beyond that, it is a total blockage. Since March 27, we have been unable to make any declaration. This is very unfortunate,” he said.
He described the situation as a full-blown crisis, noting that cargoes are piling up at the ports while importers continue to incur heavy demurrage and storage costs.
“People’s cargoes are trapped. Demurrage is accumulating, storage charges are increasing, and businesses are suffering. This is clearly a state of crisis,” Farinto stressed.
The maritime expert further alleged that some agencies and service providers are taking advantage of the situation to increase their charges, worsening the burden on importers already grappling with operational delays.
According to him, the crisis highlights a lack of adequate planning and stakeholder engagement prior to the system’s launch. He argued that critical players such as shipping companies and terminal operators were not properly integrated into the implementation process.
“These are issues that should have been addressed before the takeoff. You don’t roll out a system of this magnitude without proper alignment with stakeholders. Now the system is down, and authorities are looking for solutions after the fact,” he said.
Farinto also questioned the capacity of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to resolve key aspects of the crisis, particularly in relation to securing compliance from international shipping companies.
“Shippers’ Council cannot compel shipping lines. What should have been done was consultation and collaboration before rollout—not after the system has already failed,” he noted.
Describing the development as a “total collapse of the industry,” Farinto warned that the paralysis in port operations is already taking a toll on the Nigerian economy.
“This is a national emergency. The economy is at a standstill because port activities are blocked. Urgent decisions must be taken. There is no time for delays,” he said.
He estimated that losses incurred since the system’s introduction run into hundreds of millions of naira, with the risk of escalating further if immediate action is not taken.
To address the situation, Farinto advocated a temporary return to the previous system while the government works to resolve the challenges affecting the Single Window platform.
“They should suspend it immediately and revert to the old system. Let them fix the loopholes and reintroduce it properly, possibly next quarter. There is no shame in admitting challenges—what matters is protecting the national interest,” he advised.
He also reiterated the need for a strong legal framework to support the implementation of the Single Window initiative, noting that the absence of such a structure has contributed to the current challenges.
Calling for presidential intervention, Farinto urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act swiftly to prevent further economic losses and restore confidence in the system.
“Mr. President should intervene. The government has invested heavily in this project. It is a good initiative, but at the moment, it is not working. It should be suspended and properly re-strategised,” he said.
The National Single Window initiative, designed to streamline trade processes through a unified digital platform, has come under intense scrutiny following its troubled rollout, with stakeholders now urging the government to take decisive steps to restore normalcy at the nation’s ports.
