LOGISTICS EXPERT DR MUSTAPHA, HIGHLIGHTS THE BANES OF THE NEWLY INTRODUCED NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW
By Mcanthony Onuoha
The Managing Principal of AZ De World Cargo Logistics Limited, Dr. Azeez Abayomi Mustapha, has enumerated the merits and demerits of the newly introduced National Single Window (NSW) platform.
Dr Mustapha, logistics expert and Member, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, in a paper presentation on the project he personally signed and made available to the media, highlighted the major significance of the NSW platform and the teething problem being experienced presently.
According to Mustapha,
“the idea behind the National Single Window (NSW) is excellent. One platform where importers, exporters, Customs, and agencies, all process trade documents. The problem isn’t the concept; it is the implementation.”
“In Nigeria’s case, several issues have made it struggle: Number one is Poor inter-agency integration. Agencies like Customs, NAFDAC, SON, etc., are supposed to work seamlessly on one system. In reality, many still operate their own parallel systems. Without full integration, NSW becomes just another layer instead of a solution.”
“The second one is Institutional resistance.
Some agencies and stakeholders benefit from the old manual processes—delays, discretion, and unofficial charges. Moving to a transparent digital system threatens that, so there’s passive resistance or slow adoption.”
“The third challenge is Weak technical infrastructure.
System downtime, poor connectivity, and unstable platforms affect usability. If the system is not reliable, users naturally revert to manual workarounds.”
“The fourth challenge is that of Incomplete data harmonization.
Different agencies use different data formats and requirements. Without standardization, the system can’t properly validate or share information—leading to issues like failed Tax ID verification or duplicate processes.”
“The fifth one is Lack of clear leadership and coordination.
A project like this needs a strong central authority driving it. When responsibility is fragmented or “hijacked” by different parties, direction is lost and execution becomes inconsistent.”
“The sixth challenge is Insufficient stakeholder training.
Many users—both in government and the private sector—are not fully trained on how to use the system effectively, leading to errors and frustration.”
“And the seventh is Policy vs reality gap.
On paper, everything looks ready. But in practice, key processes are still not automated end-to-end, so users still face delays, demurrage, and repeated submissions.”
According to Mustapha, the bottom line remained that,
“the National Single Window in its current state has introduced more complications than solutions. Instead of streamlining trade processes, it has effectively duplicated existing procedures, forcing users to navigate both the NSW platform and multiple agency systems simultaneously.
“The lack of full integration with key agencies, persistent system inefficiencies, and absence of enforcement have rendered the platform counterproductive. What was meant to simplify operations is now causing delays, increasing costs, and exposing importers to avoidable demurrage.
“It is difficult to see how the intended objectives of efficiency and transparency can be achieved under the present structure. A system that adds layers without eliminating existing bottlenecks only worsens the problem it was designed to solve.
Urgent attention is required to address these gaps, as stakeholders are currently bearing the burden of an incomplete and poorly coordinated implementation.”
On the contrary, Mustapha submitted that,
“the NSW has not “failed” because the idea is wrong—it is struggling because Nigeria has not fully committed to the discipline, coordination, and transparency required to make it work properly. ”
Regardless of the attendant challenges , many stakeholders have described the NSW project as a welcome development, believing that with time the current bottlenecks will give way for a more seamless operation.
