Nigeria has intensified preparations for the rollout of its National Single Window Initiative, with nationwide sensitisation sessions held for stakeholders in the trade and logistics sector ahead of the March 27, 2026 launch.
The engagement programme, coordinated by the National Single Window Secretariat in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, took place in major commercial centres including Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.
The outreach campaign is designed to prepare key players in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem for the new reform, which is expected to transform how cross-border trade and business transactions are conducted in the country.
The sensitisation sessions brought together Customs officers and a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including freight forwarders, port operators, exporters, importers, and representatives of the organised private sector. The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s effort to create a technology-driven trade environment that reduces delays, improves transparency, and enhances Nigeria’s competitiveness in global commerce.
Each city hosted a two-day engagement programme. The first day focused on operational readiness for Customs officers, including platform integration and inter-agency collaboration. The second day brought together private sector stakeholders across the trade value chain.
Speaking during the sessions, Director of the National Single Window Secretariat, Tola Fakolade, said the sensitisation drive was crucial to ensuring both government officials and private sector operators are prepared for the transition to a digitally integrated trade system.
“The National Single Window is not just a technology platform; it is a transformational reform designed to simplify trade processes, eliminate duplication, and significantly reduce the time it takes to complete import and export transactions,” Fakolade said.
He added that the platform had reached an advanced stage of readiness ahead of the scheduled launch, noting that extensive testing and consultations had already been carried out.
“We are fully prepared for the March 27 go-live. What we are doing through this sensitisation is to ensure that every stakeholder understands how the platform works and how it will benefit Nigeria’s trade ecosystem,” he said.
Fakolade also addressed concerns about the relationship between the new system and existing digital platforms, particularly the Customs Service’s B’Odogwu platform.
According to him, the National Single Window will work alongside the Customs system rather than replace it, serving as a central digital hub connecting multiple government agencies involved in trade regulation.
The integration, he explained, will allow traders and regulators to interact with different government agencies through a single digital entry point, eliminating repetitive documentation and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The sessions recorded strong participation from major trade associations, including the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, and the Importers Association of Nigeria.
Leaders of the associations welcomed the initiative and commended the government for engaging stakeholders ahead of its implementation, noting that collaboration between public institutions and the private sector would be critical to the success of the platform.
Private sector participants—including importers, exporters, logistics operators and trade facilitators—also took part in demonstrations and interactive sessions explaining how the system will streamline trade processes such as permit approvals and regulatory compliance.
The National Single Window initiative is widely expected to mark a major milestone in Nigeria’s trade modernisation efforts, positioning the country for faster and more efficient participation in global commerce.
