Nigeria will launch the National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27, in what the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, described as a monumental step toward transforming the country’s trade ecosystem.
Gbajabiamila disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting at the State House, Abuja, attended by ministers, heads of agencies and other key government officials.
He said the initiative, first introduced by Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu nearly two years ago, is a far-reaching fiscal reform aimed at streamlining trade procedures, improving efficiency and enhancing 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.
“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.
The Chief of Staff commended the dedication and professionalism of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies involved in the project.
Earlier in his presentation, the NSW Coordinator, Mr. Tola Fakolade, urged agencies to intensify support in the final 23 days before the scheduled go-live date.
He said the first phase would enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.
Fakolade added that nationwide user training is ongoing, while pilot testing will soon commence to ensure a smooth rollout. He explained that cargo manifests would be submitted electronically and transmitted automatically to relevant agencies without human intervention.
“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.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project.
“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, reiterated the ministry’s full support, describing the project as a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda. She said the initiative is long overdue and pledged active collaboration with relevant agencies over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers and exporters.
The Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, also pledged the Bank’s full support, stressing the need to close Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will, proposing that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure seamless delivery.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, described the NSW project as a historic milestone and assured stakeholders of full collaboration to guarantee its success.
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.
Other agencies represented at the meeting included the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NQS), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
