During a high-level meeting at NCS headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, stakeholders from both agencies reviewed preparations for the National Single Window ahead of its planned launch in the first quarter of 2026.

Speaking on the importance of collaboration, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of FIRS, said:

“We are at a stage where everyone needs the right support to get the job done properly. We want to synergise with the NCS.

“Now is the time to get involved because Mr President has given us a clear deadline of the first quarter of 2026. I am here to support the Nigerian Customs Service to achieve the launch of the National Single Window and to foster further collaboration ahead of the first phase in March 2026.”

Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of NCS, emphasised that the meeting aimed to exchange ideas that would aid project preparations.

He noted that the initiative is intended to create a trade ecosystem integrating technology to reduce obstacles in the movement of goods.

The National Single Window (NSW) project, launched by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024, is designed to streamline trade procedures, enhance transparency, and accelerate economic growth.

The initiative establishes a central platform for traders to access information on import and export processes, improve trade facilitation, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.

Mr. Wale Edun, the minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the transformative initiative will boost Nigeria’s trade and economic growth.

According to him the Single Window project aims to streamline trade processes, reduce bottlenecks, and increase transparency, positioning Nigeria for  economic growth.

A statement issued by Mohammed Manga, the director, Information and Public Relations,  Ministry of Finance,  quoted Edun as underscoring the transformative potential of the NSW in enhancing Nigeria’s trade facilitation and driving economic growth.

The initiative, Edun informed, is a key pillar in the federal government’s strategy to improve trade and customs processes, reduce bottlenecks, and increase transparency within the nation’s trade environment.

To ensure the effective implementation and financial management of the project, Edun explained that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), led by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) have been designated as the project’s implementing agencies.

The project secretariat, he added, will be housed within the FIRS, providing a central hub for coordination and oversight.

“Other key stakeholders from various government agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), are actively participating in the workshop.

“Their collaboration is crucial to ensuring the successful implementation of the NSW, which is a critical component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader economic reforms.

“The three-day workshop will conclude today (Thursday) with a detailed action plan, outlining the next steps for the project and the timelines for its full implementation.

“With the launch of the National Single Window, Nigeria is poised to witness a significant leap in trade facilitation and economic growth.

“The collaboration among key stakeholders and the designation of implementing agencies underscore the federal government’s commitment to this critical component of President Tinubu’s economic reforms.

“As the project moves forward, Nigeria can expect improved trade processes, increased transparency, and a more business-friendly environment, paving the way for a brighter economic future for betterment of the economy,” the statement concluded.