Ahead of the planned rollout of Nigeria’s National Single Window trade platform, a committee of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has raised concerns over possible duplication of digital systems and weak integration among key regulatory agencies.
The concerns were outlined in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Trade War Committee of the association, Increase Uche, who urged stakeholders to ensure proper harmonisation of processes before the full implementation of the platform.
According to the statement, one of the major issues is the expansion of the Nigeria Customs Service digital platforms alongside the upcoming Single Window system.
Customs is currently developing its B’Odogwu Customs Clearance System and has also introduced a web application for obtaining and renewing trade licences and permits.
The statement warned that if these systems operate separately from the National Single Window, it could result in duplication and operational inefficiencies.
It noted that traders might be compelled to use multiple platforms for the same processes, leading to repeated submission of information and possible inconsistencies in trade data across systems.
“A Single Window should ideally mean one platform for all trade documentation to enhance clarity, honour and integrity in trade processes”, the committee stated.
The group also warned of possible institutional resistance if government agencies continue to maintain independent digital systems instead of fully integrating their functions into the central trade platform.
According to the committee, such a development could undermine the purpose of the Single Window initiative.
“If this continues, the Single Window may become just another portal instead of the central system for trade facilitation,” the statement noted.
It further pointed to what it described as weak integration of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) into the platform.
It observed that during registration on the National Single Window portal, some freight forwarding practitioners were not routed to CRFFN for regulatory verification, despite the council being the statutory regulator of freight forwarding practice in Nigeria.
The statement also highlighted that the platform does not yet reflect the collection of the CRFFN’s Practitioners Operating Fee (POF), which the association said should ideally be automatically calculated and billed once consignment documents are submitted on the portal.
While raising the concerns, the committee commended administrators of the National Single Window portal for ongoing efforts to educate freight forwarding practitioners on the planned migration to the system.
It also urged the Nigeria Customs Service, as the lead government agency on trade facilitation, to intensify awareness and training programmes for industry stakeholders.
The committee further called on CRFFN to strengthen its statutory responsibilities in regulating freight forwarding practice, particularly in areas of professional training and skills development.
According to the statement, the success of the Single Window initiative will depend on collaboration among Customs, regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders.
“Single Window, PAAR and B’Odogwu are tools for trade facilitation. What is required is honesty in declaration and cooperation among all parties to ensure a seamless transition”, the committee said.
It added that the implementation of the platform should be seen as part of the broader trade modernisation agenda aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
“It is not about Customs, the Single Window operator, CRFFN or other stakeholders; it is about Nigeria and the realisation of the Renewed Hope agenda for the growth and greatness of our country”, the statement added.