The Registrar/CEO of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Kingsley Igwe, has advocated for a National Single Window Proficiency Certification to be made mandatory for freight forwarders and logistics service providers in Nigeria.
Igwe emphasized the need for this certification, citing the benefits of the National Single Window system, which includes transparency, harmonization, standardization, and simplification of processes.
He noted that the current customs procedure in Nigeria is not standardized, leading to high costs of logistics and trade.
The CRFFN boss expressed concern over the inadequate professional knowledge of freight forwarders in Nigeria, stating that “any Tom and Harry can obtain Customs license and enter the port and start rendering freight forwarding services.”
He emphasized that this is not the case in other countries that have adopted the National Single Window system.
Igwe advised that the certification should be a prerequisite for licensing freight forwarders to practice or logistic service providers to operate, including the issuance of customs licenses.
He also called for a partnership between CRFFN and the organizers of the National Single Window Stakeholders Forum to provide proficiency training.
The National Single Window system is an initiative introduced by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) under the trade facilitation agreements.
Igwe noted that the system will reduce the monotony of Demand Note issuance and associated costs, citing the example of a freight forwarder who under-declares goods during declaration .
