Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has announced that Nigeria will launch the National Single Trade Window (NSW) platform on March 27.
He described the initiative as a monumental reform aimed at transforming the country’s trade ecosystem by simplifying procedures, improving efficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.
Gbajabiamila disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the State House, Abuja, attended by ministers, heads of government agencies and key officials involved in the project.
According to him, the initiative, which was first introduced by President Bola Tinubu nearly two years ago, represents a far-reaching fiscal reform designed to modernise Nigeria’s trade processes.
“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational,” he 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.”
The Chief of Staff commended the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and other participating agencies for their dedication to the project.
Earlier, the National Single Window Coordinator, Mr Tola Fakolade, urged agencies to intensify support in the final 23 days before the platform goes live.
He explained that the first phase of the system will allow online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.
Fakolade added that nationwide training for users is already underway and pilot testing will be conducted to ensure a seamless rollout.
He said the system would allow documents to be submitted once and automatically shared with relevant agencies without duplication.
“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,” he said.
Also speaking, 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,” he said.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, also expressed full support for the project, describing it as a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the ministry would collaborate with relevant agencies over the coming weeks to sensitise traders, importers and exporters ahead of the launch.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, pledged the bank’s support, stressing the importance of closing Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.
Similarly, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political commitment to ensure successful implementation.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the project as a historic milestone and pledged full collaboration to guarantee its success.
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the final implementation phase ahead of the March 27 launch.
Agencies represented at the meeting included the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.
Deji Elumoye
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