Maritime Lawyers Push for Strong Legal Shield for Nigeria’s Single Window Project

From 6th left, Director NSW, Mr Tola Fakolade, the President NMLA, Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN), the past President of the association Mr Chidi Ilogu, (SAN), the immediate past President Mrs Funke Agbor, the 1st Vice President: Prof. Adewale Adedamola Olawoyin, SAN, FCIArb; 2nd Vice President: Dr. Emeka Akabogu, SAN; Honorary Secretary: Mrs Nneka Obianyor, and other executive members during the 4th breakfast Meeting held in Lagos on Friday

Leading maritime lawyers have called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a clear legal framework for Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) project, warning that the ambitious trade reform could face serious implementation hurdles without proper legislative backing.
The President of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association, Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN), made the call during the association’s fourth breakfast meeting in Lagos themed “Regulatory Reforms: The National Single Window Project.”
Igbokwe stressed that the National Single Window initiative — a key trade facilitation project aimed at streamlining cargo clearance and harmonising port operations — should be backed by either a standalone Act of the National Assembly or amendments to the Business Facilitation Act.
According to him, the absence of a dedicated law could expose the project to legal disputes from agencies questioning the authority behind its implementation.

L-R: First Vice President of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Dr Emeka Akabogu; the President of NMLA, Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN); the Director, National Single Window, Mr Tola Fakolade; and the Secretary of the association, Mrs Nneka Obianyor, during the fourth edition of the Breakfast meeting held in Lagos on Friday

“There should be a legal framework specifically for the NSW process, either through an amendment or a standalone Act of the National Assembly,” he said.
“Without such legal backing, implementation could face legal challenges from agencies questioning the authority driving the process.”
He warned that although the project was already progressing, the lack of a clearly designated implementing authority remained a major concern.
Igbokwe identified overlapping responsibilities among government agencies operating at the ports as one of the biggest obstacles to efficient trade in Nigeria, noting that repeated inspections and multiple clearance procedures continue to delay cargo movement, inflate costs, and frustrate importers.
He explained that the National Single Window platform would digitally integrate all relevant government agencies into a unified electronic system, reducing bureaucracy, accelerating cargo clearance, and improving efficiency across Nigerian ports.
Speaking on the possibility of fast-tracking legislation for the project, Igbokwe expressed optimism that political will from the Federal Government could speed up the process.
“The project is Mr President’s baby, so it can be done swiftly if there is commitment from the authorities,” he stated.
He also lamented the increasing cost of imports caused by excessive port charges and prolonged cargo clearance procedures, revealing that many importers now divert cargoes to neighbouring countries, resulting in significant revenue losses for Nigeria.
Responding, the Director and Project Head of the National Single Window, Mr. Tola Fakolade, maintained that the initiative already has legal backing under existing laws, particularly provisions within the Nigeria Revenue Service Act.
However, he acknowledged the need for more detailed operational regulations to strengthen implementation and provide clearer procedural guidelines.
“There is already an existing law, but we need regulations that will clearly define the operations of the National Single Window,” Fakolade said.
He disclosed that import permits from agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control are already being processed through a unified platform.
Fakolade described the National Single Window as a transformative Federal Government initiative designed to centralise electronic trade processes for importers and exporters, harmonise data exchange among government agencies, and improve Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
He added that the system would simplify documentation processes and modernise cargo movement through a seamless electronic trade environment.
The meeting attracted several prominent maritime legal practitioners, including former NMLA President Chidi Ilogu, immediate past President Funke Agbor, First Vice President Prof. Adewale Adedamola Olawoyin (SAN), Second Vice President Dr. Emeka Akabogu (SAN), Honorary Secretary Mrs. Nneka Obianyor, and Publicity Secretary Mrs. Mojisola Jaiye-Gbenle, among others.