Nigeria risks losing N900bn annually without functional Single Window —SEREC

THE Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently ensure the successful implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) platform, warning that Nigeria loses between ₦500 billion and ₦900 billion annually due to inefficiencies in its cargo clearance system.

In a bulletin made available to the Nigerian Tribune, and signed by its Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, SEREC described the planned January 2026 launch of the NSW as a defining moment in Nigeria’s trade facilitation journey.

The group, however, cautioned that unless the project is backed by transparent governance, inter-agency coordination, and homegrown technical capacity, it could end up as another unfulfilled digital reform.

According to SEREC, Nigeria’s trading ecosystem has gone through several transitions — from Asycuda to PAAR/NICIS I & II, and now the B’Odogwu platform — all aimed at improving cargo clearance. Yet, none has delivered the desired seamlessness that a properly implemented Single Window system promises.

According to Nweke, “The forthcoming National Single Window must be pursued as a national economic reform, not merely an automation project,The success of Nigeria’s trade facilitation agenda depends not on the sophistication of software, but on the integrity of its governance and inclusivity of design.”

SEREC commended the Federal Government for setting up an Independent National Single Window Secretariat but warned that the structure must be transparent and inclusive to prevent dominance by any agency or vested interest. The group emphasized that measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) must be tied to trade facilitation outcomes — not just revenue generation.

Citing Singapore’s globally recognized TradeNetsystem managed by CrimsonLogic, SEREC said Nigeria has a lot to learn from the Asian nation’s model of unified electronic processing among freight forwarders, terminal operators, and customs authorities. It noted that the efficiency of the Singapore model lies in institutional coordination, trust, and national commitment to trade facilitation over bureaucracy.

SEREC, however, maintained that Nigeria must develop a homegrown system that aligns with its local trade realities. “The essence of integrating a national computer network that meets our peculiarities cannot be overstressed,” the statement noted.

The research group identified several obstacles that could hinder the effectiveness of the NSW if left unaddressed. These include inter-agency rivalry, poor system interoperability, periodic technical disruptions, weak stakeholder consultation, and excessive focus on revenue generation rather than trade facilitation.

SEREC urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to provide strong institutional leadership by harmonizing technical resources and ensuring that the existing B’Odogwu platform becomes a durable and interoperable foundation for the new system.

It further advised the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) to reduce reliance on foreign consultants and instead leverage local expertise familiar with Nigeria’s CIF-dominated import culture. The group also recommended policy reforms around trade terms, including the possible adoption of Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) and Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) models to enhance documentation and compliance.

Highlighting the financial implications, SEREC disclosed that Customs revenue has continued to grow — from ₦3.2 trillion in 2023 to ₦6.105 trillion in 2024, representing a 90.4 percent increase. However, the group warned that without a seamless and transparent digital system, compliance gaps and bureaucratic overlaps could continue to erode potential gains.

It projected that a fully functional National Single Window could raise Customs revenue by 10 to 20 percent annually — translating to ₦600 billion to ₦1.2 trillion in additional income — while reducing cargo dwell time by up to 45 percent and cutting trade transaction costs by as much as 25 percent.

Beyond fiscal gains, SEREC estimated that the system could create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in ICT, logistics, and data management, while also attracting between $2 billion and $3 billion in private investments over five years.

The organization also cautioned that Nigeria’s delay in implementing a unified trade platform is pushing regional competitiveness towards neighbouring ports such as Cotonou, Lome, and Tema, which already operate harmonized digital systems.