The Federal Government has announced plans to launch the National single window trade platform on March 27, describing the initiative as a major step towards transforming Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the State House in Abuja, which was attended by ministers, heads of government agencies and other key officials.
Gbajabiamila said the introduction of the National single window trade platform forms part of the fiscal reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to simplify trade procedures, improve efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global commerce.
According to him, the reform is designed to replace multiple transaction channels with a unified digital platform that allows traders and government agencies to process documents and approvals through a single system.
“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational.
“As the name suggests, it is a single national window as opposed to multiple single windows.
“This meeting is to review the progress we have made and get your commitment that we will manage this transition smoothly,” Gbajabiamila said.
He commended the dedication and professionalism of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies involved in implementing the project.
Earlier in his presentation, the National Single Window Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, called on participating agencies to intensify their support ahead of the official rollout of the National single window trade platform in the next 23 days.
Fakolade explained that the first phase of the project would enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.
He also disclosed that nationwide training for users is currently ongoing, while pilot testing will soon be conducted to ensure a smooth implementation.
According to him, cargo manifests will be submitted electronically and automatically transmitted to relevant agencies without human intervention.
“The support that we need from each of the agencies is even more critical now. Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” he said.
Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project, describing it as an initiative that will support economic growth.
“This is a growth-enhancing and growth-enabling project. What is required of the Ministry of Finance, we will definitely do,” Edun said.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, also pledged the ministry’s full support, noting that the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
She described the initiative as long overdue and assured that the ministry would work closely with relevant agencies over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers and exporters.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, equally pledged the bank’s support, stressing the need for Nigeria to close its trade facilitation gap with other countries.
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Similarly, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will, suggesting that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment should lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure a seamless rollout.
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, described the initiative as a historic milestone and emphasised the need for direct engagement with stakeholders to guarantee its success.
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the implementation phase to ensure a smooth and successful launch on March 27.
Agencies represented at the meeting included the Nigeria Customs Service, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Others were the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency