The Federal Government has ordered all shipping lines and airlines operating in Nigeria to submit their sea and air cargo manifests exclusively through the National Single Window (NSW) platform, in a decisive move to streamline trade processes and improve efficiency at the nation’s ports and airports.
The directive is contained in a letter dated 17 November 2025, with reference number FMF/OHMF/CW/NSW/01, signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and addressed to stakeholders in the maritime and aviation sectors.
According to the minister, the order follows the inauguration of the National Single Window Project by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 16 April 2024. The project is a central pillar of the Federal Government’s strategy to modernise Nigeria’s import and export processes, enhance trade facilitation, and increase government revenue.
The NSW is designed to integrate the activities of multiple government agencies involved in trade on a single digital platform. This integration is expected to ensure faster clearance of goods and services, improve operational efficiency at ports of entry and exit, and significantly reduce bureaucratic delays that have historically hampered trade operations.
Edun explained that the platform aligns with global best practices as defined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
He highlighted two core principles underpinning the Single Window system: a single-entry point for all trade documentation and single submission of data, meaning information is provided once and shared across all relevant agencies.
“In line with these principles, the National Single Window will serve as the single-entry point for the submission of all sea and air manifests,” the minister stated. “All shipping lines and airlines are therefore ordered to integrate with the NSW platform to ensure seamless manifest submission.”
The government believes the policy will eliminate multiple documentation requirements, enhance transparency, improve data accuracy, and strengthen coordination among regulatory agencies operating at the ports and airports.
Stakeholders say the directive, once fully implemented, could significantly reduce cargo dwell time, lower the cost of doing business, and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.
The minister concluded the letter by thanking industry operators for their cooperation, while reiterating the Federal Government’s expectation of full compliance as Nigeria transitions to a more efficient, digitised, and unified trade processing system.