President Tinubu Urges Full Operation of National Single Window by 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set a clear directive for the National Single Window (NSW) project, emphasizing that it must be fully operational by the first quarter of 2026. This directive was issued during the fifth meeting of the NSW Steering Committee held at the State House in Abuja. The President was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who conveyed the message on his behalf.
Gbajabiamila highlighted the significance of the recent Tax Reform Acts, which were signed into law in June. These acts underscore the urgency of accelerating reforms to support Nigeria's ambitious goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy. He emphasized that financial and trade reforms are essential for driving national economic transformation.
"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 stated. He further noted that the NSW is one of the key transformative initiatives of the President, requiring collective effort for successful implementation.
The Chief of Staff stressed the importance of a unified electronic platform in simplifying import and export operations. According to him, the NSW will not only boost investment and trade revenues but also improve transparency and strengthen Nigeria’s global business credibility.
Gbajabiamila urged all agencies involved to refine their targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to meet the Phase 1 deadline. He expressed hope that since the last meeting of the steering committee, which took place on April 8, 2025, all stakeholders have actively progressed with the required KPIs and set targets to ensure the project goes live in Q1 2026 as planned.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described the progress as encouraging but emphasized the need for swift execution. He called for a shift from strategy to concrete implementation, acknowledging the project's complexity while highlighting its transformational potential. Edun urged the committee to enhance collaboration and resolve final hurdles to meet the rollout timeline.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, also charged the committee to work diligently and meet the Q1 2026 deadline without fail. She reiterated the importance of timely execution to realize the project's benefits.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), thanked the President for his consistent support of the project. "Thank you on behalf of the steering committee. We thank you for the relentless support that you have given to us," he said. He also encouraged committee members to remain focused on the mission ahead.
Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, provided an overview of the steering committee's progress toward implementing the project. He mentioned that all second-quarter 2025 key project milestones have been successfully achieved, and the customization of the Single Window platform has commenced. Fakolade assured the committee that they would meet the established timelines.
The National Single Window project is a Federal Government initiative aimed at streamlining trade processes by creating a centralized electronic platform for importers and exporters. It is a digital trade facilitation platform expected to accelerate economic growth and facilitate cross-border transactions.
Launched in April 2024, the NSW seeks to consolidate all agencies involved in imports and exports onto a unified electronic portal. It is expected to reduce trade costs, cut delays, and enhance transparency and efficiency at Nigerian ports. The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Investments, the Ministry of Finance, FIRS, and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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