The Federal Government has unveiled plans to reduce physical examination of containers at Nigeria’s ports by 90 per cent through the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) — a comprehensive digital platform aimed at modernising and streamlining the nation’s import and export processes.
Expected to go live in the first quarter of 2026, the National Single Window will serve as a centralised hub linking all government agencies involved in trade with importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders.
The platform is designed to cut down delays, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade through automation and transparency.
Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Forum held in Lagos on Thursday, the Director and Coordinator of the National Single Window Project, Tola Fakolade, said the platform’s centralised risk management system would drastically limit the need for physical checks, ensuring faster and more efficient cargo clearance.
“The National Single Window will bring physical examinations at ports to around ten per cent of total cargo inspections,” Fakolade said. “It is not just a technology project — it is a reform tool to harmonise and simplify trade procedures across all relevant government agencies.”
He explained that the system would allow traders to submit standardised documents once through a single online entry point, automatically routing information to the appropriate authorities. The platform will also enable real-time document tracking, reduce duplication of data, and promote inter-agency coordination.
According to Fakolade, “Our objective is to make Nigeria a regional trade hub by aligning our processes with international standards, lowering costs, and improving predictability for traders.”
The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (Zone A), Mohammed Babandede, reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to the initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward trade modernisation.
“The National Single Window is a timely and transformative project that will promote efficiency, transparency, and collaboration among all port stakeholders,” Babandede said.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe, emphasised the importance of digital integration for Nigeria’s competitiveness.
“The National Single Window will unify our fragmented trade systems and enable seamless documentation, compliance, payment, and cargo release with minimal human interference,” Igwe noted.
He called for collective commitment from both the public and private sectors, stressing that the project’s success depends on trust, transparency, and sustained collaboration.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that once operational, the National Single Window will mark a turning point for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem — improving ease of doing business, attracting investment, and boosting government revenue through efficient and data-driven trade facilitation.