President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a firm directive to the Steering Committee overseeing the National Single Window (NSW) project, setting a deadline for its full commencement by the first quarter of 2026.
The announcement was made during the fifth meeting of the NSW Steering Committee, held at the State House in Abuja and chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The National Single Window, an ambitious digital platform aimed at streamlining and harmonising Nigeria’s cross-border trade processes, was inaugurated in April 2024. The system is designed to provide a unified online portal through which trade-related documents and information can be submitted, processed, and exchanged among relevant agencies and stakeholders.
President Tinubu views the project as a critical component of his administration’s economic reform strategy, particularly in the drive to expand Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion. The implementation of the NSW is expected to reduce import and export bottlenecks, minimise red tape, cut trade-related costs, and significantly shorten transaction time at the nation’s ports and borders.
Addressing the committee, Gbajabiamila conveyed the president’s insistence on moving beyond the planning phase to actual implementation. He stressed the importance of adhering strictly to the newly established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and tasked all ministries, departments, and agencies involved with ensuring that the project does not suffer any delays.
The meeting brought together key figures in the economic and trade ecosystem, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. Also in attendance were the Special Adviser to the President on Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, as well as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji.
During the session, committee members highlighted the transformative impact the NSW platform is poised to have on Nigeria’s business environment. By enabling real-time data sharing, transparent workflows, and a seamless interaction between trade actors and regulatory bodies, the project is expected to improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business rankings and boost investor confidence.
According to the committee, the project has already achieved key milestones. The second quarter of 2025 has seen the successful completion of the design phase, legal and institutional frameworks, and the start of platform customisation. As implementation gains momentum, the administration is keen on ensuring that the digital system not only meets international standards but also addresses the peculiarities of the Nigerian trade environment.
In closing, the Chief of Staff reiterated the president’s resolve to use technology as a tool to unlock economic opportunities, strengthen revenue generation, and eliminate inefficiencies in public service delivery. With the National Single Window project now fully backed by legal instruments and with dedicated leadership, the administration remains confident in meeting the Q1 2026 take-off target.
