In a determined push for economic reform, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) project must become fully operational by the first quarter of 2026.
The announcement was conveyed on Tuesday during the fifth meeting of the NSW Steering Committee, held at the State House in Abuja. President Tinubu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who underscored the pivotal role the platform will play in Nigeria’s objective of achieving a $1 trillion economy.
Mr Gbajabiamila cited the recently signed Tax Reform Acts as evidence of the administration’s resolve to expedite financial and trade sector reforms. “It is important that we maintain focus on this project to ensure we meet our timelines and deliver the outcomes President Tinubu expects,” he stated. He described the NSW as one of Mr Tinubu’s hallmark initiatives, which all stakeholders are collectively responsible for implementing efficiently and commendably.
Highlighting the significance of the unified digital platform, Gbajabiamila explained that the NSW is designed to simplify Nigeria’s import and export procedures, attract investment, boost trade revenue, enhance transparency, and reinforce the country’s international business credibility.
He called on all government agencies involved to refine their targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in pursuit of the Phase 1 deadline. “I expect that since the last steering committee meeting in April 2025, all stakeholders have progressed meaningfully towards the prescribed KPIs and set targets, ensuring we go live as planned in Q1 2026,” he said.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, welcomed the progress achieved to date but stressed the need for swift and decisive execution. Describing the NSW project as “complex but transformational”, Edun urged an immediate shift from strategy to practical implementation and asked the committee to collaborate more closely to resolve outstanding challenges and meet the rollout deadline.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, echoed this call to action, urging the committee to work diligently and ensure there are no delays in achieving the first quarter 2026 launch.
Dr Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), expressed the committee’s gratitude for Mr President’s unwavering support: “Thank you for the relentless support you have given us. The reward for hard work is more work. The Single Window is now enshrined in law—let us stay focused on the mission ahead.”
Providing a status report, Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window Project, revealed that all major milestones for the second quarter of 2025 had been met, and customisation of the platform is underway. He assured attendees that the team remained confident about meeting the forthcoming deadlines.
The National Single Window project, launched in April 2024, is a flagship Federal Government initiative to streamline trade by consolidating all agencies involved in imports and exports onto a single electronic platform. It is anticipated that the NSW will reduce trade costs, cut delays, and greatly enhance transparency and efficiency at the nation’s ports.
The committee overseeing the NSW comprises representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Investments, Ministry of Finance, FIRS, and the Nigeria Customs Service.
