BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has called for unified stakeholder collaboration to drive trade efficiency through the National Single Window initiative.
Speaking at the National Single Window Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos held on January 29, Kuku highlighted the initiative’s transformative potential in streamlining trade processes, enhancing transparency, and positioning Nigeria as a key player in global commerce.
Explaining the significance of aviation in trade, she noted that air cargo facilitates goods worth over $8 trillion annually, representing 33% of global trade by volume.
She emphasised that Nigeria, with its vast resources and strategic location, must leverage the Single Window initiative to capture a greater share of this lucrative market.
“The successful implementation of this system will undoubtedly lead to increased trade volumes, resulting in greater revenue for all involved stakeholders,” she stated. “This success will be a collective triumph.”
Kuku reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to trade facilitation, outlining key initiatives such as the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for stakeholders, the registration of all airport operators to ensure compliance, and active participation in broader trade facilitation programs like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.
Describing the Single Window initiative as a “game-changer”, Kuku explained that it integrates government agencies, private sector players, and financial institutions into a unified digital platform.
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak,” she quoted, referencing Hans Hofmann to highlight the need for efficiency.
She outlined five key benefits of the initiative:
Efficiency: Faster and smoother trade processing at cargo terminals.
Transparency: Real-time tracking to foster trust and accountability.
Cost Savings: Reduction in revenue leakages, storage fees, and operational costs.
Compliance: Strengthened adherence to international trade standards.
Global Competitiveness: Improved international partnerships and Nigeria’s position in global trade.
However, she acknowledged existing challenges, particularly the fragmentation among agencies and reluctance to collaborate. She urged stakeholders to embrace a shared vision.
“No agency or stakeholder can succeed alone. It is through teamwork that we ensure sustainable progress. It is through collaboration that we unlock our true potential,” she emphasized.
As Nigeria strives towards economic growth, with President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy, Kuku stressed that the time for decisive action is now.
“The journey to a modernized trade environment starts with our collective efforts. We must embrace the Single Window initiative and work together to build an inclusive, efficient, and prosperous trade ecosystem,” she concluded.
The forum brought together key players from the aviation, trade, and logistics sectors, signaling strong support for an integrated and efficient trade facilitation framework.
