Unified electronic trade platform has moved to integration phase, says NSW director

Tola Fakolade, director of the national single window (NSW) and head of secretariat, says the project has moved to the critical development and integration phase.

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.

According to a statement on Tuesday, speaking during a high-level meeting at the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Abuja, Fakolade said the project had undergone assessments for nearly a year.

“The project has moved into the critical development and integration phase after a year of assessments and requirement analyses,” he said.

“The Single Window serves as the central hub, linking all participating agencies, including Customs, into one unified platform.

“Achieving seamless integration at this stage is essential for meeting the Q1 2026 operational target, and we are here to ensure the necessary support is in place to stay on track.”

Also speaking, Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the NCS, stressed the importance of aligning stakeholders for the NSW implementation.

“It is my pleasure to welcome the Chairman and members of his team. We are here to exchange ideas and have open discussions that will help our preparations for the National Single Window. This project is important to Mr. President,” he said.

“Since the beginning of this administration, it has been listed among the key policies to create an environment that facilitates trade and makes the Nigerian economy more competitive.”

Adeniyi said the goal is to create a trade ecosystem by incorporating technology into existing processes.

Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said stakeholders are at the stage “where we all need what is required for what is to be done and the help that is required to get the job done right”.

He also expressed interest in collaborating with the NCS.

“It’s high time we get involved, because now, Mr. President has given us till the first quarter of 2026, I am here to support the CG and the Nigerian Customs Service to achieve the launching of the National Single Window and to seek further collaboration ahead of the launching of the first phase in March 2026,” Adedeji said.

According to the statement, the meeting was used to review the collaboration between the NCS and the NSW secretariat, as well as to agree on the steps for integration and implementation.

The statement noted that discussions underscored a shared commitment to national economic growth and the modernisation of trade processes.

Each stakeholder, the statement further noted, reaffirmed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in achieving the objectives of the NSW.

On July 22, President Bola Tinubu directed the NSW steering committee to ensure the platform takes off in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.