ICTN Integration Key to National Single Window Success

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has cautioned that Nigeria could lose approximately N900 billion each year if the Internatio...

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has cautioned that Nigeria could lose approximately N900 billion each year if the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is not completely incorporated into the National Single Window (NSW) system.

The revelation was shared in a publication outlining the organization's policy analysis titled "The Urgent Imperative of Implementing the ICTN in Nigeria," which was provided to journalists by the Head of Research, Dr. Eugene Nweke, on Thursday in Abuja.

Nweke mentioned that once put into action, it could reduce cargo clearance time by 25 to 35 percent and decrease trade misconduct by 40 percent within 18 months, enhancing Nigeria's competitiveness and reputation in the regional maritime economy.

The head of research referred to ICTN as a trade enhancement system designed to boost transparency, safety, and effectiveness within Nigeria's ports.

He stated that it allows for the early processing of cargo information, leading to quicker clearance, minimizes demurrage and paperwork time, prevents illegal trade, addresses revenue losses, and boosts Nigeria's position in international shipping.

The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) states that the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is responsible for leading the implementation of the ICTN.

The NSC would carry out the task in conjunction with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

He voiced worry that although the Federal Executive Council had approved the ICTN's implementation in 2023, it had not yet been put into action.

Without this initial verification system, Nigeria's trade authorities would remain stuck in a reactive intelligence approach, creating opportunities for hidden cargo, inaccurate declarations, and fake documentation.

Experts projected that the postponement in execution might result in an annual loss ranging from N800 billion to N1.2 trillion due to non-uniform cargo declarations and hidden transshipment activities.

Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Angola saw an increase of 18 to 22 per cent in customs income and a reduction of 30 per cent in port clearance delays within two years after implementing ICTN.

The nations also experienced a 40 percent decrease in incorrect statements during the same time frame.

"The postponed execution might also impact the seamless rollout of the National Single Window (NSW), planned for the first quarter of 2026, as well as the modernization efforts of the Nigerian Customs Service," he said.

Nweke stated that as customs modernization progresses quickly and the NSC nears implementation, Nigeria should not deploy these systems without integrating ICTN or face the possibility of increasing data fragmentation.

The government should acknowledge ICTN not as a rival system, but as a key driver for all other reforms.

"The ICTN should act as the data input layer for the National Single Window, Customs modernization, and port efficiency initiatives," he said.

The head of research pointed out that while several digital transformation initiatives were being implemented in the shipping industry, the ICTN was still the essential component required to completely connect trade information throughout the system.

He highlighted that the ongoing postponement of ICTN implementation presents significant national risks, such as loss of revenue, exposure to national security threats, damage to reputation, and an unstable digital environment.

The lack of reliable data prior to shipment hampers Nigeria's capacity to identify high-risk or illegal shipments (such as weapons, narcotics, and waste cargo) before they arrive.

Nigeria is still one of the few significant trading countries in West and Central Africa that lacks a functioning electronic cargo documentation system, which impacts investor trust in its maritime industry.

"It has also influenced the nation's compliance scores under the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) guidelines," he mentioned.

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