Discordant voices arise as the Federal Government begins the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, which began on Friday, March 27, 2026, institutions and government agencies commend the move, but experts express concern that it is a duplication of the Section 35 of the Nigeria Customs Service’s Act 2023, Tax Administration Act 2025 and constitutes an obstacle to the smooth clearance of goods at the nation’s ports
By Edu Abade
The Federal Government on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 formally unveiled the National Single Window (NSW) project, marking a significant step in its efforts to reform Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and improve the ease of doing business.
Speaking at a media briefing, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described the launch as a major milestone under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, noting that previous attempts at implementing a single window system had not succeeded.
He said the initiative represents a shift from fragmented and inefficient trade processes to a more coordinated and technology-driven system.
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,” Edun said. “We are moving from complexity to clarity, from fragmentation to coordination, and from delay to efficiency.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the National Single Window would allow traders to submit all required documentation in a single portal, eliminating the need to deal with multiple government agencies.
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.
Providing details on implementation, the National Single Window Coordinator, Tola Fakolade, said the platform would go live on March 27, 2026.
He explained 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.
Fakolade added 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.
In addition, all payments related to import processes under the platform would be handled digitally, further enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Edun, however, 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.
The government said the National Single Window forms part of a broader strategy to achieve sustainable economic growth, with a medium-term target of seven per cent annually, driven in part by improved trade facilitation.
Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, commended the collaboration among government agencies and private sector stakeholders that made the project possible.
Stakeholders at the briefing were urged to adopt the platform and work collectively to ensure its success, as officials disclosed plans to expand the system to cover export processes and integrate more agencies in subsequent phases.
The National Single Window is expected to significantly reduce trade delays, lower transaction costs, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
But in an open letter addressed to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero argued that the much-talked-about National Single Window is a duplication of two different laws in pursuance of one trade mission.
In the petition, Amiwero highlighted critical issues threatening Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, saying, “We hereby bring to the notice of the Federal Government of the duplication of Single Window application in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 35 2023 and the Tax Administration Act 5 2025.”
He cautioned that the redundancy would create obstacles in clearing goods from Nigerian ports, contravening the International Convention on Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA).
In his letter dated March 20, 2026, he said he couldn’t help but notice some of the flaws, adding, “The single window enables traders to submit documentation and data requirements for importation, exportation, or transit goods through a single entry point, to the participating authorities or agencies after the examination by the participating authorities of the documentation and/or data, the results shall be notified to the application through the single window in a timely manner.”
He further argued that the single window portal, contravenes the International Convention on Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA), which established the single window under Articles 4-(1)-(5) and also domesticated under section 4(d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, which clearly provides for the Promotion of Trade Facilitation in line with international convention and agreement as it relates to Customs administration.”
He also cited Section 4.2 of the TFA, which states, “In cases where documentation and (or) data requirements have already been received through the single window, the same documentation or data requirement shall not be requested by participating authorities or agencies except in urgent circumstances and other limited exceptions which are made public.
Amiwero based his position on his experience as a Trade Procedure Expert (TPE), who has served in several committees including Sub-Committee Chairman of the draft report of the Presidential Task Force of the Reform of Nigeria Customs Service, member, Presidential Committee on Destination Inspection, Presidential Committee on the realization of 48 hours clearance of cargo from Nigeria Ports and Borders, Central Bank Committee on Destination Inspection (DI) and Task Force on the review of levies, charges and rate in Nigerian Ports.
Others are the Import Clearance procedure and Implementation of Fiscal Policies measure, Special Committee on action-plan for clearing cargo back log at the Lagos ports and Consultant, Ad-Hoc Committee, House of Representatives Committee on investigation of single window Technology and Ministry of Finance, as well as Consultant, House Committee on Customs and Excise, among others
In his petition, he reminded Nigerians that his message was loud and clear and that, it was not about personal interest, but about Nigeria’s trade future which he says hung in the balance.
He urged the President to take decisive action on the matter and summon his advisers to be ready to tackle the duplication and pave the way for a more efficient trade ecosystem.
While highlighting the major implications of inaction to including delayed cargo clearances, increased costs, and a dent in Nigeria’s global trade reputation.
He called on those in the corridors of power, as well as maritime stakeholders from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Ministry of Finance and trade experts to look inwardly and chart a course forward.
Amiwero said doing so would help to harmonize the conflicting laws and ensure Nigeria’s trade processes were streamlined, efficient, and compliant with international standards.
He urged that the President’s resolve must be to have a clear mandate about Nigerian trade policies and it must go hand-in-hand with removing all obstacles, boosting trade and propelling Nigeria towards a brighter economic future.
He, therefore, recommended the urgent need to suspend the Implementation of the National single window, which contravenes Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the duplication and outright usurping the Function of Nigeria Customs Service, with serious multiplicity of unspecified charges with the overburden of clearing cost imposed by various agencies on Importers and Licensed Customs Agents making our port the most expensive in the world.
“It will lead to the contradiction and limitation of the provision, which will create obstacles to trade and serious diversion of goods to our neighboring countries, which will further affect Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country,” he concluded.
