Posted on January 29, 2025
The federal government has revealed plans to roll out the National Single Window (NSW) as part of efforts to cut the cost of doing business in Nigerian ports by at least 25 per cent.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, disclosed in Lagos on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ forum that the implementation of the Single Window System will enhance efficiency and potentially reduce costs by at least 25 per cent.
The World Bank highlights that the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports can be up to 40 per cent higher than in other West African countries due to delays and administrative bottlenecks, resulting in an estimated annual revenue loss of ₦2.5 trillion for the business community.
He said, “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.”
Oyetola stated that the federal government is prioritizing multimodal connectivity to boost trade and reduce transportation costs, with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration focusing on improving road, rail, and inland waterway links to and from the ports to enhance logistics and trade.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ forum on the establishment of the National Single Window (NSW) in Lagos, Oyetola said his ministry, in collaboration with the Lagos State government, is committed to implementing the initiative.
“Government, cleared the age-long Apapa–Tincan–Mile 2 traffic for landside operations and provided tugboats, mooring boats, pilot cutters, bollards, and fenders across all port locations for effective seaside operations.
“We maximised crane productivity and ensured a reduced transit time for vessels and trucks. These led to a reduction in both the vessel and truck turnaround times.
“The vessel turn-around time went down from an average of 7 days to an average of 5 days, while truck turn-around time went from an average of 10 days to a few hours. But we are not resting on our oars, as our ultimate goal is to make Nigeria the hub of maritime in West Africa,” he said.
The minister added that efforts are underway to revamp existing ports, starting with Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports as pilot projects, noting that the modernization will address ageing facilities nearing the end of their economic lifespan and improve 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,” he added.
