The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) have launched a User Experience Diary, an innovative real-time reporting tool aimed at enhancing data collection to identify and resolve inefficiencies in the cargo clearance process on Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) platform. This collaboration also involved the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) to create a digital platform that captures vital data on service failures, including trends, timelines, and geographic patterns, ultimately fostering greater transparency and regulatory oversight.
Kingsley Igwe, the Registrar and CEO of CRFFN, emphasized that the User Experience Diary, combined with a Complaint and Feedback Portal, will empower stakeholders to document their experiences throughout the cargo clearance process. This initiative will support reforms aimed at minimizing costs and delays while tackling operational bottlenecks in real time. The data gathered will provide concrete evidence for enforcing regulations surrounding infractions in the cargo clearance chain, ensuring that stakeholder complaints are documented and addressed effectively.
Maria Gowon, Lead for West and Central Africa at MACN, underscored the importance of collaboration and digital reporting in reforming port operations. She noted that prior successes in reducing inefficiencies and corruption on vessels stemmed from structured reporting systems that converted individual complaints into essential data for informed decision-making. The User Experience Diary aims to replicate this success for cargo clearance operations, allowing operators to contribute to evidence-backed reforms. Gowon encouraged stakeholders to actively engage with the new tool, asserting that data is the cornerstone for meaningful change in the maritime industry.
Moses Fadipe, Technical Adviser on Maritime to CBI, explained that the initiative was proactively designed to mitigate potential system failures associated with the NSW. Despite the NSW’s aim to streamline various cargo clearance procedures, the challenges in implementation warranted the development of a parallel support structure allowing users to report and escalate their complaints in real time. Previously, the lack of a reliable channel for grievances left many stakeholders without resolution during technological breakdowns.
Soji Apampa, CEO of CBI, reinforced the value of data and collective action, citing successful reporting efforts that have dramatically reduced extortion cases at Nigerian ports. According to Apampa, interventions from MACN and its partners have resulted in savings exceeding $300,000 in avoided extortion demands, demonstrating the benefits of transparency-driven initiatives. He argued for greater uptake of data tools like the User Experience Diary, asserting that collective reporting would yield credible evidence capable of shaping policy.
Additionally, Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window Project, articulated that the NSW aims to streamline processes by integrating various government agencies into a cohesive interface. This will facilitate single document submissions, enhance transparency, and promote centralized risk management. The Federal Government aims to significantly reduce cargo clearance time—from the current 12 to 21 days to just 24 hours—while continuing efforts to lower costs and bolster overall efficiency in the trade ecosystem.
Overall, the User Experience Diary represents a significant step toward improving cargo clearance in Nigeria, emphasizing data-driven reform and collaborative efforts among stakeholders in the maritime sector.
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