Nigeria is set to launch the highly anticipated National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27, a move described as a major step toward transforming the country’s trade ecosystem and improving efficiency in import and export processes.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting at the State House, Abuja, attended by ministers, heads of government agencies and other key officials involved in the initiative.

Gbajabiamila described the project as a monumental reform aimed at streamlining trade procedures and boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global commerce.

According to him, the initiative, first launched by President Bola Tinubu nearly two years ago, forms part of the administration’s broader fiscal reform agenda designed to modernise Nigeria’s trade and revenue systems.

“We are about to launch yet another reform, a fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational.
“As the name suggests, it is a single national window as opposed to multiple single windows.
“This meeting is to review the progress we have made and get your commitment that we will manage this transition smoothly,” Gbajabiamila said.

The Chief of Staff commended the dedication and professionalism of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and other participating agencies working to deliver the project.

Earlier in his presentation, the National Single Window Coordinator, Mr Tola Fakolade, urged agencies to intensify collaboration in the remaining 23 days before the platform goes live.

He explained that the first phase of the project will allow online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.

Fakolade also noted that nationwide user training is currently ongoing, while pilot testing will soon commence to ensure a seamless rollout of the system.

He further explained that cargo manifests would be submitted electronically and automatically transmitted to all relevant agencies without human intervention.

“The support that we need from each of the agencies is even more critical now. Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the initiative, describing it as a project capable of driving economic growth.

“This is a growth-enhancing and growth-enabling project. What is required of the Ministry of Finance, we will definitely do,” Edun said.

Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, reiterated the ministry’s full support for the project, describing it as a critical pillar of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She noted that the initiative was long overdue and assured stakeholders of active collaboration with relevant agencies over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers and exporters ahead of the launch.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, also pledged the apex bank’s full support, emphasising the need for Nigeria to close its trade facilitation gap with other countries.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will, proposing that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment lead the final implementation phase to ensure seamless delivery.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, described the National Single Window project as a historic milestone, stressing the importance of direct engagement with stakeholders and full inter-agency collaboration.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the final implementation phase to ensure a smooth and successful launch on March 27.

Agencies represented at the meeting included the Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Others were the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).