The National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, has expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s National Single Window (NSW) platform will reduce cargo clearance time at Nigerian ports by at least 75 percent when it becomes operational.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos ahead of the platform’s anticipated launch, Ezisi described the initiative as a major milestone in trade facilitation, noting that the first phase of the NSW is scheduled for launch on March 27, 2026. According to him, the platform is designed to enhance efficiency and transparency in cargo processing by integrating all relevant government agencies into a single digital interface.
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The Federal Government is set to launch the National Single Window platform in the first quarter of 2026. How prepared are freight forwarders for this?
The first phase of the National Single Window will be launched on March 27, 2026, and it will be a thing of joy to freight forwarders. The NSW is a government initiative designed to enhance trade facilitation in Nigeria. It will reduce cargo clearance time by at least 75%. The Nigeria Customs Service has developed the Time Release Study, and with the Single Window in place, that study will be significantly enhanced — you will see things working much faster. For us, it is a very welcome development.
Will the NSW truly facilitate trade? Is it to the benefit of freight forwarders?
Absolutely. The National Single Window is entirely about trade facilitation. When you bring all the relevant agencies onto one platform, every party can see what the other is doing in real time. Instead of going from one agency to another, back and forth, everything is in one place. That makes the clearance process faster and far less stressful. It is a major step forward for the industry.
Considering the history of technology and infrastructure challenges in the sector, what are your concerns about the NSW?
In anything you do, you prepare for the worst. But the National Single Window has the full backing of the Federal Government. If any agency attempts to pull out or truncate the process, it means that agency is, in effect, challenging the authority of the Federal Government. Are they saying they are bigger than the Federal Government? Every agency is expected to key in.
Yes, we anticipate some teething problems — that is to be expected, especially with network challenges that are common in Nigeria. But from what I have seen of the NSW’s security architecture, I am confident they have what it takes. Even when issues arise, they will be resolved quickly.
With the introduction of the NSW, do you expect the cost of cargo clearance to reduce?
Definitely. Bringing all these agencies together on one platform will naturally drive down costs. I do not expect stakeholders to spend more; I expect them to spend less. When everyone is visible to each other on the same system, they will be more accountable and more efficient. That transparency alone is a significant gain for this industry.
What is your message to freight forwarders about the NSW?
My message is not only to NAGAFF members — it goes to all freight forwarders across Nigeria. There is an end-user training ongoing nationwide, and I strongly urge everyone to embrace it. It is very, very important. The turnout over the past few days has been encouraging, but I still want to appeal to those who have not yet registered — please do so. It is a hands-on training, it is free, and meals are even provided for participants. Do not wait until the platform is live before you start asking questions. The opportunity is here now; take advantage of it.
You mentioned that the NSW will cut clearance time significantly. What is the current average time for clearing cargo from Nigerian ports?
To be honest, under the Customs Time Release Study, if your declaration is in order and there are no complications, your goods can be cleared within three to four days. And if your declaration is completely honest, goods can be out of the port within 48 hours. That is why I always emphasise honest declaration — it is the single most important thing a freight forwarder can do to speed up the process.
At the start of 2026, your New Year message to members stressed the need for compliance. How has that been received?
The message resonates with what we are discussing now. Honest declaration is the key — I said it then and I will say it again. When our declarations are honest, the job becomes easier and faster for everyone: easier for Customs, faster for us the freight forwarders. I continue to implore all freight forwarders in Nigeria — honest declaration is in our own best interest and in the interest of the country.
