By Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the National Single Window (NSW) Steering Committee to ensure the full operationalization of the trade facilitation platform by the first quarter of 2026.
The directive was issued during the committee’s fifth meeting at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday, as the Federal Government accelerates efforts to streamline Nigeria’s import and export processes.
Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, who represented the President, emphasized the urgency of the project, linking it to Nigeria’s broader economic ambitions.
“It’s important that we continue to stay focused on this project so that, at the end of the day, we meet our timelines and achieve the results the President expects,” he stated. “The project is one of the transformative initiatives of Mr. President, which we collectively must ensure is effectively and commendably implemented.”
The National Single Window initiative, launched in April 2024, is designed to consolidate all trade-related agencies into a unified digital platform, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, cutting costs, and enhancing transparency.
Gbajabiamila highlighted its significance, noting that the recent Tax Reform Acts, signed into law in June, further underscore the need for swift execution.
“As you all are aware, the NSW will boost investment and trade revenues, improve transparency, and strengthen Nigeria’s global business credibility,” he said. “This aligns with Mr. President’s vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy.”
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described the progress as encouraging but stressed the need for faster execution. “We must now move from strategy to concrete implementation,” he urged. “This is a complex but transformational project, and we must resolve any remaining hurdles to meet the rollout timeline.”
Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, charged the committee to work diligently, ensuring no delays in meeting the Q1 2026 deadline.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s unwavering support. “We thank you for the relentless support you have given to us,” he said. “The reward for hard work is more work. When we started last month, the Single Window was just a proposal; now, it is law.”
Tola Fakolade, Director of the NSW Project, provided an update, confirming that all second-quarter 2025 milestones had been achieved. “The customization of the Single Window platform has commenced,” he said. “We are confident in meeting the Q1 2026 deadline.”
The committee includes key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Customs Service, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Trade and Investment, all working to ensure seamless integration of the digital system.
The NSW is expected to revolutionize Nigeria’s trade ecosystem by: Reducing delays at ports through automated processes; Cutting costs for importers and exporters; Enhancing transparency by minimizing human interference; Boosting Nigeria’s global trade ranking by improving ease of doing business.
With less than a year to the deadline, the steering committee faces a critical implementation phase. Gbajabiamila urged all agencies to refine their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to stay on track. “I expect that since our last meeting in April, all stakeholders have progressed with the required KPIs to ensure we go live with Phase 1 in Q1 2026,” he said.
As Nigeria pushes toward this ambitious target, the success of the Single Window project could mark a turning point in the country’s economic modernization agenda.
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