Operational disruptions linked to persistent glitches in the National Single Window (NSW) platform are slowing cargo clearance across Nigeria’s seaports, with industry stakeholders warning of an imminent congestion crisis if urgent fixes are not implemented.
The rollout of the NSW, designed to streamline trade processes, has instead triggered widespread delays, leaving containers stranded at major ports and disrupting the flow of goods.
Findings indicate that no fewer than 10,000 containers have been held up due to system integration failures and documentation bottlenecks.
Stakeholders say the situation is rapidly escalating into a congestion threat, as cargoes continue to pile up without corresponding evacuation.
With limited terminal space and incoming shipments still arriving, operators warn that the ports may soon face gridlock reminiscent of past crises.
At the heart of the disruption are technical issues affecting the platform’s functionality. Key regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) are reportedly struggling to integrate seamlessly into the system, slowing approvals and documentation processes.
Additional challenges include failed manifest uploads by shipping companies, difficulties in transmitting Product Certificates required for Form M and SONCAP processing, and data entry limitations that hinder proper documentation.
Users have also reported issues such as missing product codes, ambiguous error messages, and problems linking Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) to profiles.
These glitches have effectively turned the NSW into a bottleneck, stalling cargo movement and increasing dwell time at the ports.
The impact is already being felt across the supply chain. Importers are incurring significant demurrage and storage charges as cargoes remain uncleared, while clearing agents face mounting pressure from clients. The delays are also raising concerns about possible shortages and price increases in the domestic market.
An official of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) confirmed a surge in complaints since the system’s introduction, noting that the platform has trapped thousands of containers and disrupted normal port operations.
Industry players attribute the crisis to inadequate preparation ahead of the rollout, citing insufficient stakeholder engagement and lack of system testing. They argue that a platform intended to enhance efficiency has instead exposed gaps in coordination among key agencies.
The National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Emenike Nwokeoji, said the push for waivers from shipping companies and terminal operators was driven by the mounting financial burden caused by the glitches.
He stressed that only cargoes directly affected by the NSW disruptions should qualify for such waivers, adding that agents are bearing the brunt of delays on behalf of importers and manufacturers.
Other stakeholders warn that the situation could deteriorate further if corrective measures are delayed. Clearing agent Osifo Nwadinamuo described the early-stage disruptions as excessive, cautioning that uncertainty around resolving the glitches could worsen congestion in the coming weeks.
Similarly, customs broker Abdulazeez Babatunde Mukaila criticised the rollout, saying the level of disruption suggests fundamental flaws in the implementation process, despite prior expectations of a seamless transition.
Calls are now growing for urgent government intervention, including system optimisation, improved inter-agency coordination, and comprehensive stakeholder training. Some stakeholders have also advocated a temporary suspension or phased implementation of the NSW to ease pressure on the ports.
Maritime operator Pius Amadi warned that continued delays could trigger severe congestion and economic losses, urging authorities to address the system failures swiftly to restore cargo flow and prevent a full-blown port crisis.
With cargo volumes rising and clearance processes slowing, stakeholders say the window for action is narrowing, as Nigeria’s ports edge closer to another congestion challenge driven not by capacity constraints, but by digital system failures.
