Stakeholders Unite to Advance Nigeria’s National Single Window Initiative

On 9 October 2025, the National Single Window (NSW) Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Lagos emerged as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s trade facilitation agenda. Hosted by the National Single Window Project Secretariat in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the event attracted wide participation across the ports, logistics, regulatory, and private sectors. The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) was represented at the forum, underscoring its commitment to supporting the reform process.

The NSW initiative promises to help reimagine how imports, exports, tariffs, and licensing are handled—reducing delays, cutting costs, and enhancing transparency. At the heart of the forum was a shared call to action: for government agencies, port operators, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders to actively own and drive this transformation.

The National Single Window (NSW) Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum showcased Nigeria’s united drive toward digital trade facilitation. Presentations led by Mr. Tola Fakolade, Director of the NSW Secretariat, revealed that the first implementation phase—covering manifest submission, permit processing, and pilot integration—is scheduled for March 2026. Over 20 government agencies have been engaged in the process, with robust testing and training frameworks in motion. Participants discussed issues such as inter-agency readiness, data security, system integration, and the need for policy continuity across administrations. Freight forwarding associations present voiced strong support, acknowledging the NSW as a transformative reform capable of reducing trade costs and inefficiencies.

For the ports community, the NSW represents a turning point in Nigeria’s logistics ecosystem, aligning trade operations with international best practices and enhancing the country’s competitiveness under AfCFTA. The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC)—represented by its Vice Chairperson, Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN—reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the reform through advocacy, stakeholder coordination, and transparent oversight. As the countdown to 2026 begins, stakeholders agree that collective ownership, sustained political will, and digital integration will be key to achieving a seamless, efficient, and future-ready port system.