The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is ramping up efforts to advance the federal government’s trade reform agenda by fostering closer cooperation with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Single Window (NSW) Secretariat.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said this while welcoming the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Tola Fakolade, and the Director of the NSW Project, Dr. Zacch Adedeji at the customs headquarters in Abuja.
A report on the customs official’s handle states that the high-level meeting focused on reviewing the progress of the Nigerian National Single Window Project and outlined the final steps needed for its operational launch in the first quarter of 2026.
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During the session, Adeniyi emphasized that the National Single Window is a “transformational initiative that will reshape Nigeria’s trade landscape.”
He noted that its success hinges on seamless inter-agency collaboration, stating, “This project is not just about technology; it’s about creating a modern trade ecosystem where government agencies collaborate to serve the trading community with efficiency, transparency, and speed.”
Launched in April 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian National Single Window aims to be a unified digital platform that connects all trade-related government agencies.
Once fully operational, it is expected to significantly reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, shorten cargo clearance times, and lower costs for operators, positioning Nigeria as a more competitive player in global trade.
In the meeting, Dr. Zacch Adedeji reaffirmed the FIRS’ commitment to the project, stating that the revenue agency would “fully collaborate to ensure the system delivers on its promise of enhanced compliance, revenue growth, and ease of doing business.”
Mr. Fakolade, the NSW Director, urged all participating agencies to meet their integration deadlines to keep the Q1 2026 launch on schedule.
The meeting wrapped up with a joint commitment from the NCS, FIRS, and NSW Secretariat to enhance technical integration, maintain open lines of communication, and keep stakeholders in the loop. When fully operational, the platform is set to boost revenue generation, create jobs, strengthen compliance, and provide concrete benefits for businesses, government, and consumers alike.
