President Tinubu Orders Full Operation of National Single Window by Q1 2026 to Modernize Trade

President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) project be fully operational by the first quarter of 2026, aiming to modernize and streamline the country’s trade and customs procedures.

The directive was issued during the fifth NSW Steering Committee meeting held on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, where Tinubu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The National Single Window is a unified electronic platform designed to centralize and simplify import and export processes by enabling stakeholders—including Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and other agencies—to process permits and documents through a single interface.

This initiative seeks to eliminate the bureaucratic delays and revenue leakages commonly associated with fragmented cross-border trade operations.

Gbajabiamila emphasized the importance of the NSW as a key pillar in Nigeria’s economic transformation and noted that recent Tax Reform Acts underscore the urgency of accelerating such reforms to achieve the nation’s $1 trillion economy target.

He urged all involved agencies to meet their Key Performance Indicators and deadlines to ensure the project’s successful launch by Q1 2026.

The National Single Window will enhance transparency, boost investment, increase trade revenues and strengthen Nigeria’s global business reputation Gbajabiamila said highlighting that the platform’s implementation will enhance ease of doing business, reduce corruption at ports and facilitate effective trade.

President Tinubu described the NSW initiative as a game-changer that will link ports, government agencies, and key stakeholders through a seamless digital system, enabling Nigeria to join countries like Singapore and South Korea that have benefited enormously from single-window trade platforms. He noted that paperless trade via the NSW could bring an estimated annual economic benefit of around $2.7 billion to Nigeria.

The President also stressed that the rollout would be phased and require collaborative efforts from all partner agencies.

He expressed commitment to ensuring the platform’s success, adding that it will facilitate not only national but also regional trade integration within Africa by linking Nigeria’s systems with those of other African nations.

The NSW project is expected to reduce import and export delays, cut down revenue leakages estimated at $4 billion annually and create a more transparent, secure, and business-friendly environment to attract both local and foreign investors.

The Steering Committee will continue monitoring progress closely to adhere to the timelines set and deliver on the expected transformative impact on Nigeria’s trade and economic landscape by early 2026.