Trade: Nigeria launches strategic National Single Window March 27 –Official

*Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, affirms the move is a far-reaching fiscal reform to streamline trade procedures, improve efficiency, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness, describing the initiative as a ‘monumental step’ in transforming the West African country’s trade ecosystem

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria will launch the highly anticipated National Single Window (NSW) platform March 27.

Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, has described the move as a “monumental” step in transforming the country’s trade ecosystem.

ConsumerConnect reports Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila said this at a stakeholders’ meeting with Ministers, Heads of agencies, and key officials in attendance, held in the State House, Abuja, FCT.

The Chief of Staff to the President also the initiative, first launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about two years ago, is a far-reaching fiscal reform that would streamline trade procedures, improve efficiency, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.

Gbajabiamila also revealed: “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.”

He noted: “This meeting is to review the progress we have made and get your commitment that we will manage this transition smoothly.”

The Chief of Staff, therefore, commended the dedication and professionalism of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other agencies involved in the trade administration.

Earlier in his presentation, Mr Tola Fakolade, NSW Coordinator, had urged agencies to intensify support in the final 23 days before the “go-live” as scheduled.

Fakolade explained the first phase would enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests, and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.

The nationwide user training programme is ongoing, and pilot testing will soon be conducted to ensure a smooth rollout, the NSW Coordinator stated.

Fakolade also disclosed the cargo manifests would be submitted electronically, and transmitted automatically to relevant agencies without human intervention.

He further said: “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.”

Speaking on the development, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Thursday, March 5, 2026, also stated Mr. Wale Edun, Honourable Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the project.

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

Dr. Oduwole: NSW is a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda

In her remarks on the occasion, Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), restated the Ministry’s full support.

Dr. Oluwole described the trade project as a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister emphasised the significance of the project, noting the initiative is long overdue.

She pledged active collaboration with relevant agencies over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers, and exporters.

Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank, pledged the Bank’s full support.

Cardoso highlighted the importance of closing Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.

Likewise, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, called for stronger coordination and political will, proposing that the Minister of Trade lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure seamless delivery.

In his contribution, Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs, described the NSW project as a historic milestone, emphasising direct engagement with stakeholders and full collaboration to guarantee success.

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

Agencies represented, apart from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), were the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the 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 (NQS), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.

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