The Federal Government’s drive to streamline trade facilitation has gained momentum as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) deepen collaboration on the National Single Window (NSW) project.
The NSW, a flagship trade facilitation initiative, is set to revolutionise Nigeria’s import and export processes, boost revenue generation, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in global trade. At a high-level strategy meeting held at the NCS Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, senior officials from both agencies reviewed ongoing preparations and agreed on concrete steps to accelerate system integration ahead of the project’s scheduled launch in the first quarter of 2026.
First unveiled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2024, the NSW will provide a centralised digital platform for all trade-related transactions, integrating systems across multiple government agencies. This integration aims to simplify documentation, enhance transparency, cut clearance times, and reduce costs for businesses.
The meeting was attended by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR); Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; and Director of the National Single Window Project, Mr. Tola Fakolade, alongside other senior officials.
Welcoming the FIRS delegation, Comptroller-General Adeniyi stressed the strategic importance of the NSW in building a modern, technology-driven trade ecosystem.
“It is my pleasure to welcome the Chairman and members of his team. We are here to exchange ideas and have open discussions that will help our preparations for the National Single Window,” Adeniyi said. He added that the initiative would integrate advanced technologies into clearance and compliance processes, eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring faster movement of goods.
FIRS Executive Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji echoed the Customs chief’s optimism, describing the partnership as timely and essential to meeting the project’s ambitious timelines. He emphasised that both agencies are committed to delivering a seamless system that supports Nigeria’s economic growth and trade expansion.
