Addressing journalists at the NSW Customer Support Centre in Apapa, officials outlined the initiative’s impact on Nigeria’s trade ecosystem ahead of its March 27, 2026 official launch. The session, attended by media representatives including Maria Yusuf of JournalNG, focused on policy continuity, efficiency, SME inclusion, and inter-agency coordination.
(Q) Stakeholders often complain about political inconsistency. What guarantees are there that this system will be sustained beyond political cycles?
There have indeed been multiple attempts in the past to address long standing distortions in the economy, but what makes this different is the level of political will, determination, and capacity that is now being applied. Under the current reform agenda, there is a clear commitment to stay the course, not just to launch initiatives but to sustain and improve them over time. Beyond that, steps are being taken to embed the NSW within existing legal and regulatory frameworks. Once something is backed by law rather than just policy, continuity is no longer dependent on any single administration. That is what guarantees sustainability going forward.
(Q) Will the NSW address the issue of multiplicity of charges, human interference, corruption, and delays?
What this system is doing is not to remove the roles of any agency, but to simplify how businesses interact with them. Instead of moving from one office to another and making multiple payments to different agencies, everything is now centralised. You make one payment in one place, and the system distributes those funds to the relevant agencies. It is similar to how global platforms operate, where you pay once and the backend handles the rest. By doing this, the need for physical movement is reduced, human contact is minimised, and the opportunities for delays or unofficial charges are significantly cut down. The process becomes faster, more transparent, and more efficient while all agencies continue to carry out their statutory responsibilities.
(Q) What provisions are in place to ensure that SMEs are not excluded from the system due to challenges with digital adoption?
From what has been observed, SMEs are not actually disadvantaged when it comes to technology; in fact, they tend to use it as an enabler to save time and reduce costs. This system is designed to play to that strength. At the same time, there is deliberate support being put in place through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and its agencies, the Export Promotion Council, to ensure awareness and onboarding. There will be a subnational sensitisation programme reaching different parts of the country, and this will also include information on trade opportunities such as duty free access under various agreements. In addition, there is an engagement center where anyone experiencing difficulty with the platform can walk in and receive immediate assistance and training. The intention is not to exclude SMEs but to bring them fully into the system and help them benefit from it.
(Q) In the event of system downtime, what contingency plans or backup mechanisms have been put in place?
The National Single Window is being built as a modern digital system, and with that comes the kind of structure that supports continuous operations. Moving away from manual and fragmented processes already reduces a lot of the inefficiencies that businesses currently face. While no system is completely immune to downtime, the design is such that operations are managed within a structured framework that prioritises continuity and minimises disruption. The expectation is that the system will be more reliable than the processes it is replacing.
(Q) In the event that all agencies are not connected to the National Single Window simultaneously, how will the system operate?
Integration is not something that happens overnight, so the approach is gradual. Agencies already have their own systems in place, and those systems will continue to function while being connected to the National Single Window. What changes is the user experience. Instead of submitting documents multiple times to different agencies, you submit once, and that information is shared across the system. Over time, more agencies will come fully on board, but even in the early stages, the system is designed to ensure continuity without disrupting existing operations.
(Q) How is the government deepening sensitisation, especially for people in remote areas who may face language barriers or limited internet access?
Sensitisation is a major part of the rollout, and it is being taken beyond just the major cities. There is a subnational outreach programme that will engage stakeholders across different states, ensuring that information gets to businesses wherever they are located. This includes exporters and traders who may not have immediate access to the same level of infrastructure or information. Through collaboration with various agencies and partners, efforts are being made to bridge those gaps, making sure that awareness is not limited to a few but extended across the country.
(Q) To what extent have agencies like Customs, NPA, and other revenue authorities coordinated their efforts for the National Single Window?
A lot of work has already been done behind the scenes to bring the relevant agencies together. There are service level agreements in place, and there has been coordination to ensure that everyone is aligned in terms of how the system will function. The idea is not to take over the responsibilities of any agency but to create a platform where their operations are better coordinated. What this does is make the entire process seamless for the user while allowing each agency to continue fulfilling its mandate.
(Q) What plans are in place to integrate existing trade facilitation platforms into the National Single Window?
Existing systems are not being discarded. They remain in place but are being integrated into a central framework. The National Single Window serves as that central interface where all these systems are connected. So instead of having to interact with multiple platforms, users go through one entry point, and the system links everything behind the scenes. This ensures that previous investments in technology are preserved while improving overall efficiency.
(Q) Can you explain how the project is financed and whether it is accounted for in the national budget?
Any project of this nature within the federal system must go through the budget process, and this one is no different. It is captured within the budgets of the relevant agencies responsible for its implementation. There is a clear distinction between what is budgeted and what has actually been spent so far, and those details can be made available through official budget documents. The funding covers the development of the system as well as its implementation, all in line with established procedures.
(Q) What is the expected annual impact of this initiative on government revenue and cost savings?
The focus is not on how much will be saved or generated in the short term. The real objective is to make business processes easier and more efficient. When businesses are able to operate without unnecessary delays or bottlenecks, they become more productive and more competitive. As they grow and generate more value, government revenue increases naturally through taxation. So rather than looking at it as a cost-cutting measure, it is better understood as a business-enabling initiative that will drive broader economic growth.
(Q) Are there plans to extend the National Single Window beyond seaports to other entry points?
Yes, the vision is for this to go beyond the seaports. The plan includes extending the system to airports and land border posts so that all entry and exit points are integrated into one framework. This will create a truly national platform for trade, ensuring consistency and efficiency across the entire system.
One Comment