RismadarVoice Reporters, May 27, 2026
The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) has called for a stronger legal and regulatory framework to support the effective implementation of the Federal Government’s National Single Window (NSW) project.
The association said the initiative, designed to streamline trade processes, would improve cargo clearance efficiency, enhance transparency, and strengthen coordination among government agencies operating within Nigeria’s maritime and port systems.
Speaking at the association’s 4th breakfast meeting themed “Regulatory Reforms and the National Single Window (NSW) Project,” Senior Advocate of Nigeria and NMLA President, Mike Igbokwe, described the project as a major step toward the digital transformation of the maritime sector.
He noted that Nigeria’s port operations currently involve multiple regulatory agencies with overlapping responsibilities, a situation that often leads to duplication of efforts, delays, and increased operational costs.
According to him, the continued reliance on fragmented and manual processes has contributed to cargo clearance delays, higher costs of doing business, inflationary pressures, and increased prices of imported goods.
Igbokwe said the National Single Window system would modernise trade procedures by integrating regulatory processes into a unified digital platform, thereby improving efficiency and boosting Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
He added that the system would also require updates to existing legal frameworks, particularly in areas such as data governance, cybersecurity, contractual obligations, and the use of electronic documentation in trade transactions.
“The NSW will require updates to regulatory frameworks, data governance and cybersecurity considerations, contractual and liability adjustments in trade transactions, and greater reliance on electronic records and systems,” he said.
He further stressed that while Nigeria has several well-developed regulatory frameworks, the major challenge remains weak implementation, monitoring, and enforcement.
According to him, the success of the National Single Window project will depend not only on technology but also on strong political will, institutional collaboration, legal reforms, and sustained engagement among stakeholders.
Igbokwe described the initiative as a transformative reform capable of improving efficiency, boosting revenue generation, and enhancing ease of doing business in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
