Tinubu to steering committee: Ensure unified electronic platform for trade takes off Q1 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the national single window (NSW) steering committee to ensure the platform takes off in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.

The NSW project is a federal government initiative designed to streamline export and import processes through a centralised electronic platform.

Launched in April 2024, the platform seeks to consolidate import and export agencies onto a unified portal.

In January, the federal government said the project aims to reduce the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports by at least 25 percent.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy, said Tinubu directed the NSW steering committee to kickstart the project in Q1 2026, during its fifth meeting at the State House, Abuja.

The president was represented by Femi Gbajabiamila, his chief of staff.

He said the recent Tax Reform Acts, signed into law on June 26, underscore the urgency of accelerating reforms and pursuing Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target.

Gbajabiamila also highlighted the importance of financial and trade reforms in 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,” he said.

“As you all are aware, the project is one of the transformative initiatives of Mr. President, which we collectively must ensure is effectively and commendably implemented.”

He emphasised the role of a unified electronic platform in simplifying Nigeria’s import and export operations.

Gbajabiamila said the initiative will boost investment and trade revenues, improve transparency, and enhance Nigeria’s global business credibility.

He called on all agencies to refine their targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) to meet the phase one deadline.

“I do expect that since the last meeting of the steering committee, which was held on the 8th (of) April, 2025, all stakeholders have operated and actively progressed with all the required KPIs and set targets to ensure that we go live with phase one in Q1 2026 as was previously scheduled,” he added.

Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said progress so far is encouraging but stressed the need for swift execution.

Edun urged the committee to shift from strategy to concrete implementation, improve collaboration, and resolve the final hurdles needed to meet the rollout timeline.

He added that while the project is complex, it remains transformational.

On her part, Jumoke Oduwole, minister of industry, trade and investment, urged the committee to work diligently and meet the Q1 2026 deadline without fail.

Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), thanked Tinubu for his consistent support for the project.

Adedeji called on committee members to remain focused on the mission, noting that the fact that the single window is now enshrined in law marks progress.

’COMMITTEE WILL MEET PROJECT TIMELINE’

Tola Fakolade, director of the NSW project, gave a brief update on the committee’s progress towards implementation.

“All second quarter 2025 key project milestones have been successfully achieved. And the customisation of the single window platform has commenced,” he said.

Fakolade assured that the committee would meet the project timeline.

The NSW committee includes representatives from the ministry of trade and investments, the ministry of finance, FIRS, and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).