By Merit Ibe
With the formal kick-off of the National Single Window (NSW) implementation on Tuesday by the federal government, stakeholders in the import and export ecosystem are excited and expectant of the gains therein.
The initiative, according to experts, is set to reshape Nigeria’s trade and business landscape by providing a comprehensive digital platform that simplifies the complexities of import and export processes.
Designed to reduce inefficiencies, plug revenue leakages, eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and promote transparency the NSW promises to create a more streamlined, competitive environment for businesses across the country.
With key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors throwing their weight behind the project, it’s important to take a closer look at the substantial benefits it offers—ranging from smoother trade operations and enhanced compliance to the potential for significant economic growth and investment opportunities.
The platform allows traders to submit and receive information related to import and export procedures.
Present at the event in Lagos were the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), among other key stakeholders in the business and finance sector, who threw their weight behind the project.
Sponsored by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), NSW was launched in April 2024 by President Bola Tinubu to facilitate trade and investment across sectors, engender accountability, and transparency, and eliminate bottlenecks for business operators in the country.
Speaking at the event, the Team Leader of the Project, Tola Fakolade, welcomed both private and public sector businesses to work in synergy to ensure that the vision of Mr. President, through the National Single Window, comes to fruition.
According to him, the digital infrastructure would simplify documentation, reduce inefficiency, generate revenue, and eliminate delays, among other benefits. “With this, we don’t need to take your documents from one agency to another—single interface, data harmonization, transparency, e-payment, and consolidated risk management across different agencies,” he affirmed.
For the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the platform is not only strategic to strengthening border security but also a centralized, user-friendly system that enhances seamless business processes. Represented by the Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Kolawale Owodunni, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, assured Nigerians that the stakes are high as he remains optimistic about the project. “The stakes are high, and we will do our bit in full support,” he assured.
On his part, Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, maintained that the initiative would foster competition as he pledged, on behalf of the Red Chamber, to support the project with legislation to boost the ease of doing business. “The Senate would remain steadfast in providing legislative support, pushing bills to facilitate projects like this to better our economy and bring Nigerians the renewed hope they crave,” he added.
Similarly, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Abubakar Dantsoho, gave thumbs up to the federal government and the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, as the platform would reduce maritime traffic and facilitate port operations.
In support of the project, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, represented by DCG K.I. Adeola, enjoined stakeholders to work collaboratively to make Nigeria the model for Single Window implementation in Africa. “This is a transformative approach to facilitate trade. It’s a national strategy in which Nigeria Customs is central, but we need good road networks, other infrastructure, and good facilities to achieve set goals,” he implored.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, said the National Single Window (NSW) project is not just a step towards improving Nigeria’s trade processes but a leap towards unlocking the vast potential of the economy, contributing significantly to the realization of a $1 trillion economy by 2031, in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
To the FIRS boss, the system would streamline trade processes, enhance efficiency, and boost transparency and revenue generation. He said, “By working together and leveraging the expertise of all stakeholders, we can harness the transformative power of the National Single Window initiative to unlock Nigeria’s full trade potential, catalyze economic growth, and create a more prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
In the same vein, the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) to President Bola Tinubu, Hadiza Usman, called for full political will to see the project to fruition. Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, believes that the initiative would drive job creation, strengthen Nigeria’s position in the AfCFTA, enhance healthy competition, and support exports—a necessity for economic stability.
Moreover, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, posited that his ministry is a partner in progress and would do everything possible to make it a huge success. “The future of Nigeria’s blue economy holds immense promise, but its realization depends on our continued commitment to fully implementing the Single Window System. By prioritizing this initiative, we will unlock the true potential of our maritime resources, paving the way for sustained growth, enhanced trade, and increased investment for generations to come,” he affirmed.
From the angle of the Minister of Finance (State), Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, the project would improve compliance, enhance risk management, increase trade volumes, enhance efficiency and transparency, reduce trade costs, enhance revenue collection, and improve the ease of doing business and data quality, among other benefits.
“We support this initiative and will work with other critical stakeholders to achieve its objectives.”
“The successful implementation of the National Single Window requires a strong commitment from all stakeholders, including government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. By working together, we can leverage the transformative power of this initiative to unlock Nigeria’s full trade potential, drive economic growth, and create a more prosperous future for all Nigerians. I therefore urge all stakeholders to remain steadfast in their commitment to this transformative agenda.
“As we move forward, I am confident that the NSW will deliver measurable results, positioning our dear nation as a beacon of trade efficiency and progress on the African continent and beyond,” she assured.