Nigeria Poised for Landmark National Single Window Launch on March 27
Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has announced that Nigeria will officially launch its long-awaited National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27, describing it as a “monumental” reform set to transform the country’s trade ecosystem.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the State House in Abuja, attended by ministers, agency heads, and top government officials.
According to him, the initiative — first introduced nearly two years ago by President Tinubu — represents a far-reaching fiscal reform aimed at streamlining trade processes, boosting efficiency, and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational,” Gbajabiamila said.
“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 of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Nigeria Customs Service, alongside other participating agencies.
In his presentation, NSW Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, urged agencies to intensify efforts in the final 23 days leading up to the “go-live” date.
Fakolade revealed that the first phase will introduce: Online processing of import permits Electronic submission of cargo manifests.
A centralised risk management system
He added that nationwide user training is ongoing, while pilot testing will commence shortly to ensure seamless rollout.
“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,” Fakolade stated.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the initiative.
“This is a growth-enhancing and growth-enabling project. What is required of the Ministry of Finance, we will definitely do,” Edun said.
Similarly, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the project as a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda and pledged collaboration with stakeholders over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers, and exporters.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, also pledged full support, stressing the need to close Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with global peers.
Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will, suggesting that the Minister of Trade should lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure seamless delivery.
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, described the NSW as a historic milestone and emphasised direct stakeholder engagement.
At the close of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was officially mandated to lead the final implementation phase ahead of the March 27 launch.
Other agencies represented included the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.
The March 27 rollout is expected to mark a turning point in Nigeria’s trade facilitation framework, reducing duplication, improving transparency, and accelerating cargo clearance across the country.