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Applications for import licences, certificates and regulatory permits for key government agencies including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) will be among the first services to witness sweeping changes when Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) platform goes live on March 27, 2026.
The Director of the National Single Window Project, Mr. Tola Fakolade, disclosed this while explaining the initial scope of the platform designed to streamline trade documentation and approvals through a single-entry portal.
Fakolade, who was speaking at a stakeholders conference in Lagos on Wednesday, said the rollout will also cover permit applications for the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) as well as manifest submissions by shipping lines and airlines, marking a major step toward digitising Nigeria’s cargo clearance processes.
He clarified that the National Single Window is not intended to replace any government agency involved in trade facilitation but rather to integrate their processes to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency.
According to him, once a release is issued by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), it would already reflect the risk assessment and compliance requirements of other port-related regulatory agencies captured within the platform.
Fakolade noted that the various agencies involved in cargo clearance were engaged from the early stages of the project and each nominated technical representatives who contributed to the development of the system.
He added that the platform has already identified and addressed several duplicated procedures that previously slowed down cargo clearance and added little value to port operations.
The NSW director further disclosed that extensive training has been ongoing for more than a month for end-users including importers, exporters, freight forwarders and officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
According to him, the training programmes are being conducted through both physical and digital channels to ensure broad participation among stakeholders.
He explained that physical training sessions are being held at designated centres accommodating between 30 and 50 participants per session, while additional learning materials, tutorials and explanatory videos have been made available online to support users of the platform.
Fakolade also clarified that the National Single Window will operate alongside the B’Odogwu Customs Management System, describing the two platforms as complementary.
“The B’Odogwu system handles core Customs processes such as valuation and risk management, while the National Single Window serves as the single-entry portal for traders to submit documents and applications for approvals,” he said.
On his part, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, NCS, ACG Mohammed Babandede, assured that Customs are in sync with other agencies and set for the NSW take off by March 27th.
Babandede, who was represented by DC Taiwo Fagbohun, encouraged port stakeholders and traders to fully embrace the new platform and share their ideas on the best approaches to improve the NSW.
Meanwhile, Vice President (Seaports) of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Princess Chi Ezeh, commended the implementation committee for recognising freight forwarders as critical stakeholders in the reform initiative aimed at improving trade facilitation in the country.
Ezeh said the decision to engage freight forwarders during the awareness and consultation stages of the project demonstrates that the implementation team understands the strategic role operators play within Nigeria’s port and logistics ecosystem.
She noted that during the engagement sessions, freight forwarders were able to highlight several operational challenges they face at the ports, adding that the project team assured stakeholders that the issues raised would be addressed.
She expressed optimism ahead of the planned launch, urging the implementation team to ensure the platform enhances trade facilitation rather than create additional delays in cargo clearance processes.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) Tin Can Island Chapter, Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo, assured that freight forwarders would play their part in ensuring the success of the initiative by submitting accurate documentation and complying with the required procedures.
He stressed that transparency and professionalism from operators are essential to achieving the project’s goal of reducing cost, saving time and improving efficiency in Nigeria’s port operations.
