The Federal Government has unveiled President Bola Tinubu’s plan for the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) system, an initiative designed to streamline trade processes, curb corruption, and recover over $3 billion in annual revenue leakages.
The project aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a competitive trade hub in Africa and facilitate the country’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2031.
Key government officials, including Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; FIRS Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; and NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, have expressed optimism about the project’s potential to accelerate economic transformation.
Enhancing Trade and Economic Growth
Speaking at the National Single Window Establishment Stakeholders Forum in Lagos, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole emphasized the urgency of deploying the NSW system to enable Nigerian businesses to compete globally, create jobs in export-driven sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, and bolster Nigeria’s role under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Minister Gboyega Oyetola highlighted that the full implementation of the unified digital system would reduce clearance delays by up to 60%, optimize port operations, and address inefficiencies that cost Nigeria over ₦2.5 trillion annually, according to a World Bank report.
Currently, the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports is up to 40% higher than in other West African countries due to delays and administrative bottlenecks. Oyetola stated that with the NSW system, trade costs are expected to drop by at least 25%, making Nigeria’s ports more competitive regionally.
“By streamlining operations, improving transparency, and minimizing delays, the system not only drives cost savings but also strengthens overall trade facilitation. The cumulative impact—reduced costs, enhanced efficiency, and greater transparency—will significantly improve the ease of doing business,” he said.
Integrating Key Trade Players
FIRS Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the NSW initiative as crucial to achieving Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy target. He noted that bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays at the ports have weakened Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade, resulting in substantial revenue losses, reduced foreign direct investment (FDI), and the underutilization of the country’s economic potential.
The NSW system will integrate key trade actors—including seaports, airports, free trade zones, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector—onto a single digital platform, revolutionizing international trade operations.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that there is no better time than now to launch the NSW initiative, emphasizing the need to overcome past challenges that stalled similar efforts.
Representing the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, an official noted that while the concept is not new to Nigeria, lessons from previous attempts must be applied to ensure the project’s success.
The NSW system is expected to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and improve Nigeria’s trade efficiency, positioning the country as a key player in global commerce.
