Towards boosting Nigeria’s trade efficiency and economic growth, President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Single Window (NSW) Steering Committee to ensure the platform becomes fully operational by the first quarter of 2026. This initiative is part of the government’s broader reform agenda to streamline trade processes and enhance Nigeria’s global trade credibility.

The directive was announced during the fifth steering committee meeting held at the State House in Abuja. The event was presided over by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, in the absence of President Tinubu, who was represented at the event. The Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement highlighting Tinubu’s emphasis on the importance of the project.

Tinubu underlined that recent tax reforms, signed into law in June, underscore the urgency of accelerating economic reforms to reach Nigeria’s ambitious $1 trillion economy target. He stressed that NSW is a flagship initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s trade landscape by simplifying import and export operations through a unified electronic platform.

“The project is critical to our economic transformation. It’s essential that we stay focused and meet our timelines to achieve the results expected by the President,” Tinubu stated.

Gbajabiamila echoed this sentiment, emphasising the platform’s role in boosting investment, increasing trade revenues, improving transparency, and strengthening Nigeria’s reputation in international business. He urged all agencies to refine their targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure the successful launch of Phase 1 in Q1 2026.

Finance Minister Wale Edun described the progress as encouraging but called for swift and concrete implementation. He emphasised the need for enhanced collaboration and resolution of final hurdles to meet the tight rollout schedule. Similarly, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, urged the committee to work diligently toward the deadline.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s unwavering support, noting that the project has now been embedded in law. He urged the committee members to stay focused on their mission.

Tola Fakolade, Director of the NSW Project, provided an update, confirming that all key milestones for the second quarter of 2025 have been achieved and that platform customisation is underway. He assured the committee’s commitment to meeting the set timelines.

The National Single Window is a transformative digital platform launched in April 2024, designed to centralise all agencies involved in imports and exports onto a single, unified portal. It aims to reduce trade costs, minimise delays, and improve transparency and efficiency at Nigerian ports—ultimately driving economic growth through streamlined cross-border transactions.

Members of the committee include representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Investments, the Ministry of Finance, FIRS, and the Nigeria Customs Service.

As Nigeria progresses towards the 2026 target, the successful deployment of the NSW will mark a significant milestone in the nation’s efforts to foster a more transparent, efficient, and competitive trade environment.