By Tunde Ojudun
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has sounded a warning ahead of the implementation of Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) trade facilitation platform.
In a statement issued by Dr. Increase Uche, Chairman of NAGAFF’s Trade War Committee, the group expressed concern that the project risks duplication, institutional resistance, and weak integration of regulatory agencies if not properly harmonized.
The statement highlighted key concerns to be duplication of platforms. It noted that Nigeria Customs Service is expanding its B’Odogwu Customs Clearance System while also developing a separate licensing web application. NAGAFF warned that this could force traders to use multiple systems, leading to repeated submissions and inconsistent data.
It also raised the issue of institutional resistance. The Trade War Committee fears that Customs may not fully integrate into the NSW, reducing it to “just another portal” rather than a central hub for trade documentation.
It raised the issue of weak integration of CRFFN:l. According to the committee, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is reportedly not fully embedded in the NSW. Practitioners are not routed for regulatory verification, and the Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF) is not automatically billed through the portal.
Dr. Uche emphasized that the NSW must unify processes across agencies to succeed. He urged Customs, as the lead government agency, to educate freight forwarders, while CRFFN should intensify training and regulatory oversight.
“The relevance of Single Window, PAAR, and B’Odogwu are merely tools for trade facilitation. What we are saying here is that all parties must live with an open mind to ensure the new order succeeds,” he stated.
NAGAFF framed the issue as one of national importance, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for renewed hope and economic transformation. The committee pledged to issue further statements as the rollout progresses.