Importers and clearing agents operating at Nigerian seaports have raised concerns over rising demurrage charges, blaming delays associated with the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) platform for slowing cargo clearance processes.
The National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Lucky Amiwero, said importers are increasingly facing heavy financial burdens, with some reportedly paying up to N100,000 daily in demurrage fees while waiting for cargo approvals.
He criticised the effectiveness of the National Single Window system, arguing that it has not achieved its purpose of streamlining port operations and has instead created additional layers of bureaucratic processes.
According to him, delays in approvals from regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have worsened congestion at the ports.
Amiwero further argued that the system functions more like a “multiple-window” process rather than a unified platform, stating that importers are still required to engage separately with various agencies, defeating the purpose of integration.
He also raised concerns about the role of the Nigerian Revenue Service in managing the system, suggesting that customs operations require specialised expertise beyond general tax administration.
In response, the Director of Communications for the National Single Window, Tola Fakolade, said criticisms of the platform stem largely from resistance to stricter compliance measures introduced under the new system.
He explained that the initiative was designed to create a unified entry point for documentation processing rather than guarantee immediate approvals for all regulatory procedures.
Fakolade acknowledged existing implementation challenges, including backlogs inherited from some agencies before the system went live, but said efforts were ongoing to resolve them.
He added that agencies such as NAFDAC are working to clear pending applications contributing to current delays.
