The National Association of Government-Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has rejected a petition calling for the suspension of Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) project.

In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Godfrey Nwosu, NAGAFF described the petition—pushed by Mr Lucky Amiwero, the factional President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA)—as a personal grievance rather than a genuine, industry-wide concern.

According to NAGAFF, the attempt to prematurely label the National Single Window as a failure before the project’s first phase has even been implemented is likely to mislead stakeholders and stall national progress. The association warned that such actions could undermine reforms meant to improve Nigeria’s trade environment.

What the petition alleged

Amiwero had urged the Federal Government, through a petition to the Presidency, to halt the implementation of the NSW. His claims include that the project violates the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and duplicates the functions already carried out by the Nigeria Customs Service.

He also alleged that the NSW would introduce charges that could make Nigerian ports the most expensive globally—an assertion NAGAFF disputes.

NAGAFF countered that the National Single Window is not a duplication of existing responsibilities. Instead, the association said it is a harmonisation of trade processes designed to bring Nigeria in line with international best practices.

The freight forwarders’ body described the NSW as a forward-looking reform that supports modern, efficient trade processing by streamlining documentation for import, export, and transit cargo. NAGAFF emphasised that the platform is meant to reduce process duplication across government agencies involved in trade and border management.

The association also argued that the NSW would improve transparency and efficiency in port operations while lowering the overall cost of doing business. For NAGAFF, these improvements are essential for enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

Call for stakeholders to embrace progress

NAGAFF said it remains committed to reforms that strengthen the trade sector and attract foreign direct investment, adding that resisting or sabotaging such initiatives could encourage the diversion of cargo to neighbouring countries.

The group concluded by reaffirming full support for the National Single Window project and urging stakeholders to embrace the initiative “for the greater good of Nigeria’s economy,” advocating movement forward with reforms that promote efficiency and transparency.