Regional Trade Leadership: Nigeria Set to Launch National Single Window for Prompt Clearing and Forwarding of Goods in the Maritime Sector

By Raheem Ibrahim

Nigeria is set to launch the long-awaited National Single Window (NSW) project next year, a major step toward achieving 24-hour clearance and forwarding of goods within the maritime sector.

The project, now in its advanced implementation stage, marks the most significant progress the country has recorded since first adopting the concept many years ago. Globally recognised as a central platform for simplifying trade processes, the system is currently undergoing active testing and configuration ahead of its planned rollout in March 2026.

Speaking at the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) retreat at the Lekki Free Zone on Thursday, the Head of Change and Stakeholder Management for the project, Ayokunu Oyeniyi—who represented Dr. Zacch Adedeji of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)—said the benefits of the NSW would become evident soon after the platform goes live.

Delivering a presentation themed “Maximising Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Import and Export Trade,” Oyeniyi highlighted the strategic importance of technology-driven processes in strengthening Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.

According to him, the current progress represents a major milestone, marking the first time Nigeria has produced a working version of the platform for public and institutional review. He described the development as a turning point in the nation’s long and repeated attempts to implement a functional single window system.

Oyeniyi explained that the NSW is designed as a central digital platform that allows importers, exporters, and trade operators to submit standardised documentation once, enabling all relevant government agencies to access the information simultaneously. He added that the system will eliminate duplication, reduce delays, minimise manual documentation, and improve visibility across the entire regulatory chain.

While noting that countries like Ghana have used similar systems successfully for more than a decade, he said Nigeria is building a more advanced version designed to exceed regional performance benchmarks.

He emphasized that the NSW is expected to cut clearance time to under 24 hours when fully operational, significantly reduce export processing duration, lower business costs, and enhance transparency across all trade agencies. The platform, he said, will also strengthen Customs risk management and streamline overlapping roles between regulatory institutions such as SON and NAFDAC—helping eliminate long-standing bottlenecks that increase the cost of doing business.

Oyeniyi noted that progress on the project has accelerated since President Bola Tinubu launched the implementation phase in April 2024. The project team has completed a detailed business process analysis, carried out the first round of User Acceptance Testing with several regulatory agencies, and commenced additional testing phases with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and NIMASA.

Another round of testing is scheduled for January 2026, followed by full-scale user training across the trade ecosystem in February. He confirmed that the system has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the Nigeria Customs Service platform, preserving Customs’ internal operations while linking them to the unified trade system. He added that government is also deploying modern scanners, strengthening centralised risk management, and incorporating data intelligence tools to enhance cargo monitoring and reduce the need for physical inspections.

He attributed the unprecedented momentum to strong political backing, noting that the project’s steering committee operates from the Office of the President and includes all major trade-related agencies. According to him, the President’s consistent interest has provided the push needed to harmonise agency positions and sustain project progress where previous attempts stalled.

Citing international case studies, Oyeniyi said countries with operational single window systems have reduced export processing times from more than ten days to just two or three days. He expressed confidence that Nigeria can match and surpass these results within one to two years of full implementation, positioning the country as a leading trade hub in West Africa.

He called for continued stakeholder support and public engagement ahead of the rollout, emphasizing that although challenges may arise, the implementation team is prepared to respond swiftly and continuously refine the system.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the President of MARCON, Comrade Ismail Aniemu, advocated for the full and effective involvement of the media in the National Single Window project. He emphasized the crucial role of journalism in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime sector by reporting on the expected benefits of the initiative for import and export trade.

According to him, adequate media dissemination of information is vital for supporting major government policies, particularly the NSW project, which is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2026.

“The project is expected to transform import and export procedures, manufacturing, revenue systems, and logistics operations across the country,” he said.

Aniemu stressed that Nigeria’s strategic position as a central hub for West and Central Africa makes its economic growth critical to the region. He noted that the retreat was aimed at equipping journalists with the knowledge needed to support national development goals and promote informed maritime reporting.

He reaffirmed MARCON’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime industry through impactful journalism, adding that with the National Single Window project on the horizon, stakeholders remain optimistic about its potential benefits for the nation’s economy and maritime sector.

MARCON’s efforts are expected to play a significant role in promoting public awareness and deepening understanding of the project’s objectives and advantages.