Nigeria set for big shift in trade processing system

The Federal Government has announced plans to launch the National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27 as part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and improve efficiency in the processing of import and export documentation.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the State House in Abuja, attended by ministers, heads of government agencies and other key officials.

Gbajabiamila described the initiative, introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nearly two years ago, as a major fiscal reform that would streamline trade procedures and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness.

“We are about to launch yet another reform by this administration which, in its nature, will be very transformational,” he said.

“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 secure commitment to ensure a smooth transition.”

He commended the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and other participating agencies for their professionalism and dedication to the project.

Earlier in his presentation, the National Single Window Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, urged government agencies to intensify their support during the final 23 days leading to the launch.

According to him, the first phase of the platform will enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.

Fakolade explained that cargo manifests would be submitted electronically and automatically transmitted to relevant agencies without human intervention.

“Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” he said, adding that nationwide user training and pilot testing are already underway to ensure a smooth rollout.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project, describing it as a growth-enhancing initiative.

“This is a growth-enhancing and growth-enabling project. What is required of the Ministry of Finance, we will definitely do,” he said.

Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the project as a key component of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging collaboration with relevant agencies to sensitise traders, importers and exporters ahead of the launch.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, also pledged the bank’s full support, emphasising the importance of closing Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will to ensure successful implementation of the initiative.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, described the National Single Window as a historic milestone and pledged the agency’s full cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the final implementation phase to ensure a successful rollout of the platform on March 27.

Other agencies represented at the meeting included the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.