National Single Window to Go Live March 2026

Nigeria is gearing up for a major leap in trade facilitation as the National Single Window (NSW) — a centralised digital platform designed to revolutionise import and export processes — is set to commence operations in March 2026.

In a high-level strategy session held at the Nigerian Customs Headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the Comptroller-General of Customs (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director of the National Single Window Project, Tola Fakolade, met with other senior officials to fast-track modalities for the project’s launch.



The NSW, inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024, is a flagship federal initiative aimed at streamlining and automating trade procedures through a single, centralised platform. The system will connect various government agencies, allowing businesses to submit documents and access trade-related services from one interface, thereby cutting costs, reducing clearance times, and improving transparency.

Speaking after the meeting, Adeniyi described the project as a “critical pillar” of the administration’s drive to create a competitive trade environment.

“This project is important to Mr. President. It is among the key policies to facilitate trade, improve efficiency, and make the Nigerian economy more competitive globally,” Adeniyi said.



The Customs boss stressed that the NSW would leverage advanced technology to create a modern trade ecosystem, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving compliance processes.



Dr. Adedeji reaffirmed FIRS’ commitment to ensuring the system’s success, noting that its integration with revenue collection mechanisms would significantly boost Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base.

“We are now at the stage where inter-agency synergy is crucial. The President has given us a clear timeline, and we are determined to meet it,” he stated.



According to Adedeji, collaboration between FIRS and Customs will not only improve operational efficiency but will also enhance transparency in tax and duty collections, closing revenue leakages.



Tola Fakolade, NSW Project Director, provided updates on progress, revealing that the project has moved beyond the requirement analysis phase into system development and integration. He emphasised the importance of seamless inter-agency cooperation to meet the operational deadline.

“The NSW will serve as the central hub linking all trade-related agencies. Strong cooperation and timely infrastructure alignment are essential to meet the March 2026 target,” Fakolade said.

When fully operational, the NSW is expected to transform Nigeria’s trade landscape:

For Businesses – Importers and exporters will benefit from faster cargo clearance, lower operational costs, and a reduction in bureaucratic delays.

For Government – The platform will tighten control mechanisms, reduce fraud, and improve compliance, significantly increasing revenue generation for national development.

For Consumers – Greater efficiency in supply chains will mean quicker access to goods, lower storage costs, and reduced prices.


Industry experts believe that by aligning with international best practices, Nigeria will enhance its standing in global trade rankings and attract greater foreign investment.


The NSW concept is not unique to Nigeria — countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Morocco have implemented similar systems with significant results, including clearance time reductions of up to 50% and major cost savings for businesses.

If Nigeria can replicate such success, the initiative could become a model for trade facilitation across West Africa, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.



Both FIRS and Customs pledged to maintain close coordination, share technical expertise, and meet all integration milestones before the launch date. Stakeholder sensitisation campaigns are also expected to begin later this year to educate businesses on how to transition smoothly to the new system.

With less than eight months to go, the race is on to ensure that Nigeria’s NSW delivers on its promise — positioning the country as a leading trade hub in Africa by combining technology, efficiency, and transparency.