Shippers Council Pushes for Single Window System to Enhance Port Operations

NSC Boss Advocates Full Automation as NSW Nears Final Rollout, Urges Stakeholders to Embrace Digital Transformation

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has renewed its call for full automation among maritime service providers to ensure the seamless integration and final implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) platform—a digital trade facilitation system that aims to unify port operations, reduce red tape, and enhance Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub.

This development was disclosed by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Dr Pius Akutah, during a strategic visit to the Lekki Deep Seaport. The visit comes at a critical juncture, as the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has elevated the NSW initiative to a national priority, setting the stage for systemic reform in Nigeria’s port and logistics ecosystem.

“The Council is championing automation as a core standard to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the maritime sector,” Dr Akutah stated, adding that the NSW will create a unified platform for all import-export related processes, significantly cutting transaction costs and turnaround times at Nigerian ports.

He stressed that successful integration of the NSW would require all maritime stakeholders—including terminal operators, freight forwarders, shipping companies, and regulatory agencies—to automate their systems and ensure interoperability with the central digital window.

“This is no longer optional. Automation is the future, and the National Single Window is the vessel for that future. All hands must be on deck,” Akutah emphasized.

Highlighting success stories in Nigeria’s evolving maritime landscape, the NSC boss pointed to the Lekki Deep Seaport’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model as a benchmark for infrastructural innovation and sustainable investment. According to him, the port’s structure and operational efficiency reflect Nigeria’s potential to serve as a logistics hub for West and Central Africa.

In an effort to boost investor confidence, Dr Akutah extended an open invitation to both local and international investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to promoting a predictable and profitable environment for private sector engagement.

He also encouraged the management of the Lekki Port to intensify its global outreach efforts. “There’s a need to aggressively market the capabilities of this facility to regional and international markets. Nigeria is poised to become a gateway to Africa, and this port can be the driver,” he added.

Responding to the Council’s remarks, the Managing Director of Lekki Deep Seaport, Mr Wang Qiang, affirmed the port’s dedication to operational excellence and cost reduction for stakeholders. He also acknowledged the vital support the NSC has extended to the port and called for continued collaboration to achieve strategic objectives.

“We are committed to driving down costs, improving turnaround times, and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth. The support of the Shippers Council remains crucial in this journey,” Qiang said.


The National Single Window is a globally recognized digital trade system designed to harmonize customs procedures and inter-agency coordination. Once fully implemented, it is expected to streamline import/export documentation, improve compliance with international standards, and significantly reduce the time and cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

According to industry experts, full integration of the NSW could reduce cargo clearance times by over 50%, eliminate multiple checkpoints, and foster greater transparency in revenue collection and cargo tracking.

However, stakeholders have long criticized the slow pace of digital reform in Nigeria’s maritime sector, with calls for political will, adequate infrastructure, and cross-agency collaboration growing louder. With the Tinubu administration now backing the initiative as a key economic reform measure, observers say the momentum must be sustained beyond the pilot stage.


As the final phase of the NSW rollout approaches, the NSC’s insistence on automation sends a clear message: Nigeria’s maritime future lies in technology-driven solutions and cross-sectoral collaboration. If fully realized, the National Single Window could become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s trade transformation agenda—placing the country on par with global best practices and attracting the investment needed for long-term growth.

For now, all eyes remain on how fast and how well Nigeria’s maritime stakeholders can adapt, align, and deliver.

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