Joyce Mmereole
CEO of Widescope International Logistics Limited, Dr. Segun Musa, has warned that Nigeria’s much-publicised National Single Window project risks collapsing into “another expensive jamboree” unless government agencies fully upgrade their systems to function within an automated environment.
Speaking during an industry interaction, Musa said the noise around the Single Window has created unrealistic expectations, noting that the platform cannot work if the agencies meant to power it remain unprepared, uncoordinated or stuck in analogue operations.
According to him, the Single Window is only a framework, a digital shell and its success depends entirely on the readiness of the agencies expected to plug into it.
“All this excitement about the Single Window is just like celebrating the body of a car when the engine, tyres, and seats are missing,”
Musa said.
“Single Window is a shell. The content of that shell is the agencies. If the agencies are not prepared, the shell remains empty.”
Musa argued that the Nigeria Customs Service must decide whether it truly wants a fully automated system or intends to continue with a semi-digital, bottleneck-filled process.
“You cannot mix digital with analogue. Customs must either embrace full automation or stay where they are. This halfway system is why confusion persists,” he warned.
He noted that Customs continues to introduce fragmented initiatives from one-stop-shop concepts to new layers of committees, instead of implementing a unified, automated clearance system used in modern ports.
Musa explained that full automation is the global standard and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.
He described a modern clearance process where containers are scanned upon arrival, reports are sent electronically, and Customs, shipping companies and terminal operators all process releases online without physical contact.
“With full automation, duty payment leads automatically to Customs e-release. Shipping companies issue their release online. The terminal gives electronic terminal delivery order. The truck proceeds straight to the gate and picks the container. No crowd, no delays, no interference,” Musa said.
He noted that the idea was first proposed during the Obasanjo administration and fully supported only during President Buhari’s tenure, but resistance from officers stalled implementation.
Musa maintained that unless agencies upgrade their internal systems, human capacity, and digital infrastructure, the Single Window will end up like the Deep Blue Project well-funded but poorly utilised.
“If the agencies are not prepared, the Single Window will remain an empty shell. It may look beautiful on the surface, but it will not deliver results,” he stated.
Musa insisted that the government must move beyond publicity and focus on real system readiness.
“Nigeria cannot keep launching digital platforms that agencies cannot support. Before shouting Single Window, let us prepare the agencies. Without that, the system will fail even before it starts,”
he warned.
He urged the Federal Government to pick one port as a pilot for full automation and use the lessons to scale the model nationwide.