National Single Window Project Gains Momentum as Nigeria Targets 2026 Launch
The Nigerian National Single Window (NSW) project has gathered fresh momentum as government agencies renew commitments to its successful implementation ahead of its early 2026 operational target.
Launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2024, the NSW is a flagship reform initiative designed to simplify trade procedures, enhance transparency, curb revenue leakages, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.
A series of high-level meetings at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja has underscored the urgency of aligning inter-agency timelines to meet the deadline.
On 12 August 2025, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi; the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji; and the Director of the National Single Window, Tola Fakolade, pledged to intensify collaboration in ensuring the project’s timely delivery.
The follow-up session held on 16 September 2025 further reinforced this commitment. During the meeting, Adedeji praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its central role in the implementation process.
“I can’t thank you all enough for the wonderful progress as I’m seeing everything being completed. This has become the official headquarters of the implementation. Nigeria Customs Service is playing host to the core implementation scheme of Single Window,” he said.
In his briefing, Fakolade confirmed the approval of a joint venture that will drive extensive stakeholder engagement across Nigeria’s four zones in October 2025. He added that bi-weekly technical meetings would continue to address operational bottlenecks and improve integration processes.
“As part of the implementation of the Single Window Project, there has been approval for the release of funds to support different MDAs, particularly in strengthening IT infrastructure,” Fakolade disclosed. “We’d also like to gain approval to visit the various commands to assess any support they may require to make this a reality.”
CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the Customs Service’s dedication to both its technical role and the broader vision of creating a seamless trade ecosystem.
“We are going to deliver on this mandate. At the rate we are currently striking agreements on so many of these issues, I want to believe we would be right on target,” Adeniyi assured. “I would like to reiterate our support for the build-up towards the implementation of the National Single Window.”
When operational, the NSW is expected to significantly reduce cargo clearance times, lower trade costs, and improve Nigeria’s business climate, unlocking economic benefits for both government and private sector stakeholders.
With renewed inter-agency synergy and accelerated implementation efforts, Nigeria appears well on track to achieve the President’s vision of a more efficient and competitive trade facilitation system.
