NSW will make Nigeria competitive in regional, global trade, says Edun
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has described the National Single Window (NSW) project as a game changer that will revolutionise cargo clearance, facilitate
- By Simeon Ebulu and Oluwakemi Dauda
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has described the National Single Window (NSW) project as a game changer that will revolutionise cargo clearance, facilitate trade, boost economic growth and make the country competitive in regional and global trade.
He said the NSW will also assist the Federal Government in marking a significant step in its efforts to reform Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and improve the ease of doing business.
Addressing reporters and other stakeholders at the official Go-Live Ceremony of the National Single Window Platform in Lagos yesterday, the Minister said President Bola Tinubu launched the NSW initiative in 2024, to propel the nation’s economy to new heights.
Edun, described the launch as a major milestone under the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that previous attempts at implementing a single window platform had not succeeded.
The initiative, Edun said, is part of the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu and a bold testament to the President’s commitment to breaking long-standing developmental barriers in advancing the progress, prosperity, and well-being of every Nigerian.
He said the initiative represents a shift from fragmented and inefficient trade processes to a more coordinated and technology-driven system.
In her address, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole said, the NSW is a landmark digital trade platform designed to designed to connect all government agencies involved in trade regulation and cargo clearance, enabling traders to submit documentation once through a single online interface, cutting down on manual and redundant processes.
She added that the NSW would allow traders to submit all required documentation through a single portal, eliminating the need to deal with multiple government agencies.
The platform, she said, would facilitate real-time tracking of documents, risk management, and automatic sharing of data among agencies, including NPA, NIMASA, NAFDAC, SON and others.
She noted that the new system would simplify trade procedures, reduce duplication of documentation, and enhance investor confidence.
“In simple terms, it is one portal, one submission, one coordinated process,” she said, adding that the reform would position Nigeria more competitively in regional and global trade
Read Also: Major shake-up as IGP orders posting of top police officers
Also, the Executive Chairman, National Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji spoke on the impact of the platform on trade, revenue generation, and economic growth. He disclosed that project will roll out this Friday.
According to him, the platform is designed to reduce the time and cost associated with import and export transactions, while improving transparency and overall efficiency in the system.
“This is a defining moment. We are moving from complexity to clarity, from fragmentation to coordination, and from delay to efficiency,” Edun said.
Outlining the benefits of the initiative, he said, by simplifying government trade compliance through a digital platform, Nigeria will unlock the doors to economic prosperity, and link our ports, government agencies, and key stakeholders, creating a seamless and efficient system that will facilitate international trade like never before and build investors’ confidence.
Edun stressed that the success of the initiative would depend not only on the digital platform but also on improvements in physical infrastructure, particularly at the nation’s ports.
He noted that ongoing efforts to modernise major ports were critical to addressing congestion and ensuring that the benefits of the reform are fully realised.
“A digital platform alone does not move goods,” he said, warning that inefficiencies in port operations could undermine expected gains.
Adedeji commended the collaboration among government agencies and private sector stakeholders that made the project possible.
The Director, NSW Project, Tola Fakolade said the project was initiated by President Tinubu to make the economy competitive and work better for every Nigerian.
Providing details on implementation, Fakolade, said the platform would go live on March 27, 2026.
He added that the first phase of the rollout would cover the processing of import licences, permits, and certificates for key regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC and SON, through the single platform.
He stated that a pilot phase for cargo manifest submissions would commence with selected shipping lines and air cargo operators, with full integration expected by May 1, 2026.
He further disclosed that the system incorporates a risk management framework that enables regulatory agencies to assess importers based on compliance history, a move expected to reduce physical inspections and speed up cargo clearance for compliant traders.
He added that all payments related to import processes under the platform would be handled digitally, further enhancing transparency and efficiency
The project is expected to significantly reduce trade delays, lower transaction costs, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
