Tinubu Directs Full Implementation of National Single Window by Q1 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a firm directive for the National Single Window (NSW) platform to become fully operational by the first quarter of 2026.
The instruction was conveyed during the fifth meeting of the NSW Steering Committee held on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, with the President represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila reiterated the President’s commitment to trade and financial reforms as key drivers in Nigeria’s journey towards a $1 trillion economy, referencing the recently signed Tax Reform Acts as evidence of the administration’s urgency and intent.
“It’s important that we continue to stay focused on this project, so that at the end of the day, we meet our timelines and achieve the results the President expects,” Gbajabiamila said.
He emphasised the NSW’s role as a transformative initiative aimed at simplifying Nigeria’s import and export processes by bringing all regulatory agencies onto a unified electronic platform.
According to him, the platform will enhance transparency, reduce delays, boost trade revenues, and strengthen Nigeria’s standing in global commerce.
Gbajabiamila called on participating agencies to refine their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and intensify collaboration to ensure the project goes live as scheduled.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, echoed the call for urgency, urging the committee to transition from planning to execution.
“This project is not only complex but transformational. We must now shift gear from strategy to implementation,” Edun stated.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, also stressed the importance of meeting the Q1 2026 deadline, urging committee members to remain focused and diligent.
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, thanked the President for backing the initiative and highlighted that the NSW is now backed by law following its recent legislative passage.
“The reward for hard work is more work. It’s now in the law, and we must stay focused on delivering,” Adedeji told the committee.
The Director of the National Single Window Project, Tola Fakolade, reported that all Q2 2025 milestones had been successfully met, and the platform’s customisation is currently underway.
Launched in April 2024, the NSW is designed to serve as a centralised digital platform for trade facilitation, bringing together agencies such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Investment, FIRS, and Nigeria Customs Service.
The platform is expected to significantly reduce trade costs, improve transparency, eliminate delays, and modernise port operations in Nigeria.
