‘Nigeria’s National Single Window Project Nears Rollout, Promises Trade Revolution’ – Adedeji

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Nigeria’s long-awaited National Single Window (NSW) project has reached an advanced stage of implementation, with full rollout scheduled for March 2026. The development was announced during the Maritime Journalists Retreat organized by the Maritime Correspondents Organization of Nigeria (MARCON) in Lagos.

Presenting the lead paper, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Zacch Adedeji—represented by Ayokunu Oyeniyi, Head of Change and Stakeholder Management for NSW described the project as a turning point in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem. He explained that the NSW will serve as a central digital platform where importers, exporters, and trade operators can submit standardized documentation once, accessible simultaneously by all relevant government agencies.

The system is expected to cut clearance time to under 24 hours, reduce export processing duration, lower business costs, and enhance transparency across trade agencies. It will also streamline overlapping roles between regulatory institutions such as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Foof and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), while strengthening Customs risk management.

Oyeniyi noted that progress has accelerated since President Bola Tinubu launched the implementation phase in April 2024, with multiple rounds of testing already completed. Full-scale training for stakeholders is scheduled for February 2026.

He emphasized that strong political backing has driven the unprecedented progress, with the project’s steering committee operating directly from the Office of the President. Drawing from international case studies, Oyeniyi expressed confidence that Nigeria could surpass regional benchmarks within two years of implementation, positioning the country as a leading trade hub in West Africa.

Stakeholders were urged to sustain support and engagement as the rollout approaches, ensuring the system delivers on its promise of transforming Nigeria’s import and export trade.