The Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has commended the federal government for taking the bold step towards actualising the National Single Window(NSW) project after over one and half decade of contemplation with trials and errors without timeline for takeoff.
In a press release signed by the association’s President, Ismail Aniemu, and its Secretary, Olamide Osho, MARCON commended the growing number of stakeholders who have shown support for the project while also describing the NSW as a game changer for Nigeria’s economic rebirth.
The association also urged all players in the nation’s import, export, manufacturing and logistics ecosystems to brace up for tech driven capacity development that would reinforce Nigeria’s position as Africa’s economic economic powerhouse with an influential population and high volume of trade.
It also lauded the project directorate domiciled in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for pursuing an all inclusive agenda, promoting robust engagements and sustaining the tempo of growing awareness for the national single window.
By consolidating documentation and automating approvals, MARCON believes the NSW will eliminate redundant paperwork and multiple agency interactions, cutting cargo clearance times significantly. This will in turn reduce demurrage charges (storage fees for delayed goods) and logistics bottlenecks, saving businesses billions of naira annually.
For instance, importers and exporters can avoid unnecessary costs from port delays, while small enterprises gain easier access to global markets. Overall, this fosters a more efficient supply chain, directly boosting sectoral productivity in manufacturing, agriculture, and e-commerce.
According to Aniemu, “the one document submission accessible and usable for security, regulatory and revenue purposes without the old way of multiple submissions thereby eliminating the cumbersome bottlenecks of various government agencies is the right way to go.
“This process is indeed revolutionary as it will further plunge Nigeria into a regime of paperless businesses transaction, promoting productive speed in a transparent manner that prevents trade disputes.
“We are optimistic about the responsibility of accountability the NSW shall place on all users as it will, no doubt, usher in true trade facilitation and ease of doing business. We call on all business people to join in working for the success of the project which commences by end of first quarter in 2026” he said in the release.
Other expected benefits from the project include streamlined documentation; cost savings and lower administrative burdens; enhanced Government Revenue and reduced leakages; increased transparency and anti-corruption measures and boosting investors’ confidence to attract foreign direct investments (FDI).

Following his inauguration as Vice President (Africa) of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has outlined his key priorities for advancing port development across the continent.
Speaking after his inauguration at the just concluded World Ports Conference, themed “Re-invention and Prosperity in Turbulent Times”, held in Kobe City, Japan, Dantsoho said his focus will be on effective policy implementation, enhanced collaboration, strengthened cooperation, and improved trade facilitation within Africa’s port sector.
It would be recalled that African ports play a critical role in global trade but face challenges such as infrastructure deficits, policy inconsistency and limited technological adoption.
The NPA MD said unified action among African port authorities and stakeholders to address challenges facing African ports would be central to his leadership agenda at the IAPH.
According to him, his administration, through the deployment of port innovativeness, will capture tangible, sustainable investment returns in high-risk environments.
“This responsibility has fired up my resolve more than ever before to be the vanguard of galvanising national and regional policy action steps geared towards institutionalising ports’ eco-friendliness in line with the dictates of IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program.
“Reinvention and prosperity in turbulent times through the deployment of port innovativeness to capture tangible, sustainable investment returns in high-risk environments is a global exigency that the world can most efficiently surmount if IAPH members speak with one voice through renewed collaboration and cooperation.”
The NPA boss further stated that he will champion full automation of African ports to eliminate trade barriers.
“I intend to deploy my current role as President of the Pan-African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC) to more intentionally promote collaboration and cooperation.
“Cognisant of the catalytic role of automation as the linchpin of ports’ efficiency and sustainability, I intend to infuse greater action behind the necessity of full automation of African Ports as the most veritable tool for elimination of trade barriers,” he said.

• Nigeria eyes IMO Council seat for global maritime leadership
• NIMASA seeks $150b to bridge ocean funding gap

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has yet declared the country’s intent to return to Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, framing it as a crucial step to assume a greater role in global maritime governance.
He said the move would cement Nigeria’s influence in shaping global maritime decisions, while positioning the domestic maritime sector as a cornerstone for reducing reliance on oil and gas through diversification and blue economy growth.
Oyetola made the remarks in Lagos at the 2025 World Maritime Day celebration, themed “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
He stressed that the nation is stepping up its push for global maritime leadership with bold commitments to ocean stewardship, modernising port infrastructure, strengthening international cooperation, and unlocking the vast opportunities of the blue economy to drive sustainable development.
Highlighting the vital role of the ocean, Oyetola noted that it covers over 70 per cent of the earth’s surface, produces up to 80 per cent of the planet’s oxygen, and carries more than 80 per cent of global trade. Yet, he warned, it faces growing threats from climate change, overfishing, pollution, and neglect.

“The message is clear: we must be stewards, not exploiters,” he said, pledging stronger action on sustainable fishing, marine pollution, biodiversity protection, and maritime safety and security.
The minister described the blue economy as a “new frontier of innovation, prosperity and inclusive growth,” with opportunities spanning renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and sustainable aquaculture. He called for stronger collaboration with the international community, extending “a special invitation to members of the diplomatic community,” and commended agencies under his ministry for their contributions to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his goodwill message, NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, reinforced the ocean’s importance to Nigeria’s economy and sovereignty.
“For us, the ocean is the lifeblood of our nation, the gateway for over 80 per cent of our trade, and a reservoir of immense biodiversity and resources. Its health dictates our climate, its security defines our sovereignty, and its potential holds the key to our future,” he said.
Mobereola highlighted Nigeria’s Marine Litter and Plastic Action Plan, alongside efforts to implement IMO frameworks for a healthy marine environment. He also pressed for fairness in the global transition to net-zero emissions.
“We are strongly advocating for a just and equitable transition to net-zero Greenhouse Gas emissions for Sub-Saharan Africa, Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries to ensure fairness and social justice,” he stated.
On security, the NIMASA boss pointed to the Deep Blue Project as “a game changer in addressing maritime security in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.” He outlined investment opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, shipbuilding, tourism, and port infrastructure, but warned that funding shortfalls remain.
“According to the World Bank, Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) is one of the most poorly funded SDGs, with an annual financing gap of approximately $150 billion. Public funding will never be enough to close the gaps,” Mobereola said, urging private sector participation supported by incentives and de-risking mechanisms.
Both Oyetola and Mobereola closed with a call for collective responsibility in safeguarding ocean resources. As Oyetola put it: “Our obligation is to safeguard it. Our opportunity is to transform it for the benefit of generations to come.”
The 2025 World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos drew maritime stakeholders, diplomats, and industry leaders, underscoring the country’s ambition to strengthen its blue economy, enhance maritime security, and assert its leadership on the global maritime stage.