Nigeria is set to launch its long-awaited National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27, in what the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described as a “monumental” step towards transforming the country’s trade ecosystem.
Gbajabiamila made this known during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the State House, Abuja, attended by ministers, heads of agencies and other key government officials.
He explained that the initiative, first introduced nearly two years ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represents a far-reaching fiscal reform aimed at streamlining trade procedures, improving efficiency and boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational,” Gbajabiamila said. “As the name suggests, it is a single national window as opposed to multiple single windows.”
He noted that the meeting was convened to assess progress made so far and secure stakeholders’ commitment to ensuring a smooth transition to the new system. The Chief of Staff commended the professionalism and dedication of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service, among other participating agencies.
Earlier, the National Single Window Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, urged agencies to intensify support in the final 23 days leading to the “go-live” date. He disclosed that the first phase of the platform will enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the deployment of a centralised risk management system.
According to him, cargo manifests will be submitted electronically and automatically transmitted to relevant agencies without human intervention, eliminating duplication and reducing delays. Nationwide user training is currently ongoing, while pilot testing is expected to commence soon to ensure seamless rollout.
“This is the critical stage. Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” Fakolade said.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment, describing the project as growth-enhancing and growth-enabling.
Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, pledged full support, describing the initiative as a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda. She said the ministry would intensify collaboration with agencies to sensitise traders, importers and exporters ahead of the launch.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, stressed the importance of closing Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries, while the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will to ensure successful implementation.
Also speaking, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, described the NSW as a historic milestone and pledged full collaboration with stakeholders to guarantee its success.
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the final 23-day implementation phase to ensure a smooth and successful launch.
Other agencies represented at the meeting included the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.
