Harboursandport.com: Abuja, March 20, 2026 — A leading trade procedure expert, Lucky Eyis Amiwero, has formally petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he describes as a critical duplication in Nigeria’s trade laws that is obstructing the smooth clearance of goods at the nation’s ports.
In a letter dated March 20, Amiwero warned that overlapping provisions in the Nigeria Customs Service Act No. 35 of 2023 and the Tax Administration Act No. 5 of 2025 have created conflicting mandates on the implementation of the Single Window system — a trade facilitation tool designed to streamline import and export documentation.
According to Amiwero, the duplication contravenes the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, TFA, which requires member states to maintain a single entry point for traders to submit documentation.
He emphasized that under international convention, once data has been submitted through a Single Window, agencies should not request the same information again, except under urgent circumstances.
“The National Single Window portal, as currently implemented, contravenes the International Convention on Trade Facilitation Agreement and undermines Nigeria’s obligations under Section 4(d) of the Customs Service Act,” Amiwero stated.
The trade expert, who has served on multiple presidential committees on Customs reform, port clearance, and fiscal policy, argued that the duplication has become a major impediment to efficient cargo clearance.
He cited provisions in the Customs Act that already establish the Service as the lead agency for electronic data exchange and coordination of inspections, making the additional mandate in the Tax Administration Act redundant and confusing.
Amiwero’s petition also referenced the Presidential Task Force on Customs Reform, which had earlier introduced the Single Window System as part of its interim report on trade facilitation priorities. He warned that unless the duplication is addressed, Nigeria risks undermining its competitiveness in global trade and delaying the long-promised 48-hour cargo clearance target.
The letter was copied to key government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministers of Finance and Budget, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBEC).
This development adds to ongoing debates about Nigeria’s port efficiency, with stakeholders repeatedly calling for harmonization of regulations to reduce delays, cut costs, and improve compliance with international trade standards.
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