The Presidency has confirmed that Nigeria will launch the highly anticipated National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27, 2026, describing the initiative as a monumental step in the transformation of the country’s trade ecosystem.
The date was disclosed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The meeting brought together ministers, agency heads, and key officials to review the final stages of preparation for the “go-live” date.
Gbajabiamila stated that the initiative, first launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nearly two years ago, represents a far-reaching fiscal reform designed to streamline trade procedures, improve efficiency, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational,” Gbajabiamila told the gathering. “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.”
He commended the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other agencies involved in the project’s development.
During his presentation, the NSW Coordinator, Mr. Tola Fakolade, provided a detailed breakdown of the platform’s first phase and urged agencies to intensify support with just 23 days remaining until the launch.
According to him, the initial phase will enable the online processing of import permits, the electronic submission of cargo manifests, and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.
Fakolade emphasized that the new system would eliminate human interference in data transmission. “Cargo manifests will be submitted electronically and transmitted automatically to relevant agencies without human intervention. Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” he explained.
He added that nationwide user training is currently ongoing, and pilot testing will be conducted shortly to ensure a smooth rollout.
The meeting saw unanimous pledges of support from key government officials. Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment, describing the project as “growth-enhancing and growth-enabling.”
Similarly, the Governor of the Central Bank, Olayemi Cardoso, pledged the Bank’s full backing, stressing the importance of closing Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other nations.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, called the NSW a “historic milestone,” promising direct engagement with stakeholders to guarantee its success.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, was mandated to lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure a seamless delivery by March 27. Oduwole reiterated the ministry’s full support, calling the project a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda and promising active collaboration to sensitise traders, importers, and exporters.
Agencies represented at the meeting included the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NQS), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
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