Maritime law experts are urging the Federal Government to establish a standalone legal framework for the National Single Window (NSW) project, warning that without it, the initiative faces legal challenges that could stall operations and undermine its transformative potential.

Speaking at the fourth breakfast meeting of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association (NMLA) in Lagos, the association’s President, Mr Mike Igbokwe, SAN, argued that the National Single Window should operate under a dedicated Act of the National Assembly. He cautioned that the project is currently advancing without a clear statutory foundation, leaving it vulnerable to disputes from agencies that may question the authority driving the process.

“There should be a legal framework specifically for the NSW process, either through amendment or a standalone Act of the National Assembly. The reason is that without such legal backing, implementation could face legal challenges from agencies questioning the authority driving the process.”

Igbokwe suggested that the Business Facilitation Act could also be amended to incorporate the NSW operational framework, but stressed the urgency of action before full implementation gathers further pace.

The Cost of Bureaucratic Overlap

A central concern raised at the meeting was the persistent problem of overlapping responsibilities among port agencies. Igbokwe described how multiple, redundant checks by sister government agencies waste time, inflate costs, and slow cargo clearance to a crawl. The result is a ripple effect that reaches the broader economy: high clearing costs push up the price of imported goods, and many importers have resorted to diverting cargoes to neighbouring countries, causing significant revenue losses for Nigeria.

The National Single Window is designed to address these inefficiencies by connecting all relevant government agencies through a unified electronic platform. By harmonising data and eliminating duplicate processes, the system promises faster clearance times, lower transaction costs, and a more competitive trading environment.

Existing Laws, but Not Enough

Responding to the concerns raised, Mr Tola Fakolade, Director and Project Head of the National Single Window, acknowledged that existing legislation — particularly provisions under the Nigeria Revenue Service Act — already empowers the initiative. He noted that import permits from agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and NAFDAC are now being processed on a single platform.

However, Fakolade conceded that more detailed regulations are needed.

“There is already an existing law, but we need regulations that will clearly define the operations of the National Single Window. We only need more detailed regulations derived from the Nigeria Revenue Service Act to strengthen the system.”

Political Will as a Catalyst

Igbokwe expressed optimism that the required legal framework could be enacted swiftly if backed by strong political will, describing the project as “Mr President’s baby.” The sentiment reflects a broader recognition within the maritime sector that the NSW is not just a technical upgrade but a strategic national priority.

When fully operational, the platform is expected to centralise electronic trade processes for importers and exporters, simplify trade documentation, and improve Nigeria’s overall trade competitiveness. For an economy that loses substantial revenue to port inefficiencies and cargo diversion, the stakes could hardly be higher.

The meeting drew a wide cross-section of the maritime legal community, including former NMLA President Chidi Ilogu (SAN), immediate past President Mrs Funke Agbor (SAN), and other leading maritime law practitioners.