FG set to implement Single Window Policy at Nigerian Ports by 2026
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to implement the National Single Window at Nigeria’s ports by 2026. Vice President Kashim Shettima said the initiative aims to harmonise port documentation, reduce human contact, and enhance transparency in cargo clearance. He described the plan as a “game changer” for port operations.
Speaking at the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee at the Presidential Villa, Shettima said the policy targets a major reduction in cargo clearance time. “By the end of 2026, we aim to reduce average cargo clearance time in Nigeria to under seven days,” he said. According to him, the goal is to make Nigerian ports rank among the top three most efficient trade gateways in Africa.
He noted that the implementation of the National Single Window in the first quarter of 2026 would transform port operations across the country. Shettima lamented that the cost of clearing goods in Nigeria is 30 per cent higher than in many regional peers, noting that such inefficiencies discourage investment, raise consumer prices, and weaken export competitiveness. “Our ports record cargo dwell times 475 per cent above the global average benchmark. We cannot afford to continue down this path,” he said.
The Vice President directed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), NAFDAC, SON, and other agencies to develop a roadmap for an effective weights and measures framework. He explained that the framework would ensure fairness in trade by verifying weighing equipment and protecting consumers from fraud.
According to him, accurate measurement is key to efficiency and global trade standards.
