NSW Project Rollout: The ANLCA’s Bold Step into the Future

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

When history is written about Nigeria’s trade reforms, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) will stand out as a body that did not wait for change to arrive—it went out to meet it.

Nwokeoji during the NSW Conference in Dakar

In November 2025, under the visionary leadership of National President Emenike K. Nwokeoji and Vice President Prince Segun Oduntan, ANLCA led a formidable delegation to Dakar, Senegal, for the 11th International Single Window Conference (SWC).

This was not a mere attendance. It was a statement that ANLCA, consistently leading the customs clearing and forwarding industry is determined to be at the forefront of Nigeria’s transition into the National Single Window (NSW) era, slated for deployment in early 2026.

It goes without saying that the NSW project is not only crucial but with it, the Dakar Summit. The Dakar summit, themed “Logistics, Trade and Technology: New Challenges?”, convened global experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on the evolving landscape of trade facilitation. For ANLCA, participation was strategic. By engaging with international best practices, the association positioned itself—and by extension Nigeria’s freight forwarding industry—as a ready partner in the digital transformation of customs operations.

And trust the restoration team, the delegation was not just one of influence just as ANLCA’s presence was not just symbolic but substantive. The delegation included Emenike Nwokeoji – National President; Prince Segun Oduntan – National Vice President; Hajia Bola Idayat Muse – National Treasurer; Chief Mike Ebeatu – Chairman, Onne Port Chapter; Ifeanyi Isikaku – Senior Member, Lagos Chapter; and Barr. Mike Ovien Imonitie – Legal Adviser.

Prince Oduntan, left, during the conference

Their collective presence underscored ANLCA’s unity and seriousness in preparing members for the NSW’s rollout. It was also a powerful signal to government and international partners: Nigeria’s largest customs-licensed freight association is not only aware of reforms but is actively shaping its response.

Rather than waiting for the Federal Government’s 2026 deployment, ANLCA chose to acquaint its members early with the operational realities of the Single Window system. This foresight reflects a pragmatic leadership style—one that anticipates challenges, equips stakeholders, and ensures smooth adaptation.

By doing so, ANLCA reaffirmed its role as a solutions provider in trade facilitation, a bridge between government policy and industry practice, and a continental leader, setting standards for freight associations across Africa; with strong implications for Nigeria’s trade future.

The NSW promises to streamline customs processes, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance transparency. For customs brokers and freight forwarders, it means faster clearance times, reduced costs, and improved competitiveness. ANLCA’s early engagement ensures its members will not be caught off guard but will instead be drivers of efficiency in the new system.

L-R: Hajia Muse, Chief Isikaku, Ebeatu and Imonitie during the conference

It bears repeating that the Dakar conference was more than an event; it was a defining moment for ANLCA. By stepping onto the global stage, the association demonstrated that Nigerian trade professionals are not passive recipients of reform but active participants in shaping the future.

As 2026 approaches, ANLCA’s proactive leadership offers reassurance that Nigeria’s logistics sector is in capable hands—ready to embrace technology, tackle new challenges, and lead Africa’s march into a more integrated trade environment.