Nigeria is set to launch its long-awaited National Single Window platform on March 27—a development Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, has hailed as a “monumental” advancement for the nation’s trade landscape.

Gbajabiamila made this disclosure during a stakeholder gathering at the State House in Abuja, which brought together ministers, agency heads, and other senior government officials.

According to Gbajabiamila, the platform—first proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nearly two years ago—marks a significant fiscal reform intended to streamline trade processes and elevate Nigeria’s standing in the global market.

“We are about to launch yet another reform, 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,” he said.

He also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other participating agencies for their dedication and professionalism in driving the project forward.

President Tinubu instituted a committee for the National Single Window project in April 2024 and mandated that the digital trade platform become fully operational by the first quarter of 2026.

The initiative is a key component of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to support Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

The platform will enable importers and exporters to process documentation and clear goods more efficiently.

It is expected to cut port delays, remove bureaucratic bottlenecks, and improve transparency in trade operations.
By simplifying procedures and reducing human involvement, the initiative is also anticipated to lower the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

The project is regarded as a flagship digital trade facilitation programme, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s standing in global trade and attracting investment.

The NSW initiative aims to streamline and enhance the ease of carrying out import and export activities throughout Nigeria.

The coordinator of the National Single Window project, Tola Fakolade, called on government agencies to step up their support in the final weeks leading to the official launch.

The first phase will allow import permits to be processed online and cargo manifests to be submitted electronically.

A centralized risk management system will also be implemented to strengthen regulatory oversight.

Nationwide training for users is currently underway, with pilot testing planned ahead of the official launch.
Fakolade highlighted that documents submitted through the system will be shared across relevant agencies without duplication, helping to accelerate trade processes and cut administrative delays.

Several senior government officials reaffirmed their support for the project.

Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, described it as a growth-enabling initiative, while Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, called it a key pillar of the administration’s economic agenda.