The federal government has announced plans to officially launch the national single window (NSW), a digital trade platform on March 27.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff to the president disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting at the state house in Abuja attended by ministers and heads of government agencies.
According to a statement issued by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, the platform will serve as an electronic portal linking all agencies involved in trade transactions to a single integrated system.
Gbajabiamila described the initiative, introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nearly two years ago, as a major fiscal reform aimed at transforming Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
He noted that the digital platform would simplify procedures, improve efficiency, and enhance the country’s competitiveness in international trade.
Tola Fakolade, the national single window coordinator said the first phase of the project will allow online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests, and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.
She added that nationwide user training is already ongoing while pilot testing will begin soon ahead of the official launch.
Also speaking at the meeting, Wale Edun, the coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance reaffirmed the ministry’s support for the initiative.
Jumoke Oduwole, the minister of industry, trade and investment described the project as a key component of the administration’s reform agenda and pledged to work with stakeholders to sensitise traders, importers and exporters before the rollout.
Olayemi Cardoso, the governor of the central bank of nigeria also expressed the bank’s backing for the initiative, noting that it would help close Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.
Also, Zacch Adedeji, the chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service called for stronger coordination among relevant agencies to ensure successful implementation of the platform.
Other agencies involved in the project include the nigeria customs service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria among others.
The government said the digital platform is expected to simplify trade documentation by allowing traders to submit documents once, which will then be shared automatically with all relevant agencies without duplication.