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The Federal Government has directed ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to complete the second phase of the National Single Window (NSW) by the end of November 2026 as part of efforts to eliminate regulatory hurdles slowing Nigeria's export trade.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, announced the deadline on Wednesday in Abuja during a stakeholders' meeting on the rollout of Phase Two of the National Single Window and the Export Tracker.
She said the next phase of the digital trade platform is aimed at ending duplication, poor coordination and fragmented processes among government agencies, which have continued to increase costs and delay export transactions.
According to Oduwole, every participating agency must clearly define its responsibilities, meet agreed milestones and deliver on outstanding tasks before the November deadline.
She noted that since becoming operational on March 27, the National Single Window has processed over 124,614 licences and permits, registered 11,096 importers and agents, trained more than 8,000 users and facilitated about N12.59 billion in regulatory payments.
The minister, however, stressed that the launch of the platform was only the beginning, adding that its success would ultimately be measured by whether exporters experience faster, simpler and more predictable trade procedures.
She said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's economic agenda to diversify the economy, boost non-oil exports, create jobs and build a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Oduwole recalled that consultations with exporters in 2024 identified poor coordination, duplicated inspections and inconsistent regulations as major obstacles to trade, noting that the reforms are designed to address those challenges.
She explained that the second phase will integrate export permits, certificates, licences, inspections and payment processes into a single coordinated platform built on the principle of “one portal, one submission and one process.”
According to her, government agencies will retain their statutory roles while exporters will no longer be burdened with navigating multiple agencies to complete a single transaction.
The minister disclosed that the ministry is already aligning the operations of key institutions, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and other export-related agencies ahead of the integrated export platform.
Executive Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, urged all participating agencies to comply with implementation timelines, saying an efficient business environment is essential for attracting investment and improving Nigeria's competitiveness.
Director of the National Single Window Secretariat, Mr. Tola Fakolade, said five agencies have been fully integrated into the platform, including SON, NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Quarantine Service and NESREA.
He added that 25 of the 27 cargo airlines operating in Nigeria are already using the platform, while 48 of the country's 88 shipping lines have joined the electronic sea-manifest system introduced recently.
Fakolade acknowledged initial technical challenges but said they had been resolved, expressing confidence that the platform would continue to improve and simplify export procedures for Nigerian businesses.
