FG: National Single Window Project Will Redefine Trade, Reduce N2.5trn Revenue Loss by 25%

•Finance Ministry: Trade alone can give Nigeria $1trn economy

Dike Onwuamaeze

The federal government has declared that successful implementation of the National Single Window Project (NSW) would positively redefine the way trade is done in Nigeria and reduce an estimated revenue loss of N2.5 trillion caused by bottlenecks experienced in doing business in the Nigerian ports by 25 percent.

The government also described the NSW as one of the initiatives introduced to realise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s 8-point agenda and position Nigeria as a $1 trillion economy. 

These declarations were made in Lagos yesterday by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, during their separate leadership address at the “Stakeholders’ Forum on the Establishment of National Single Window.”

The NSW project, which was launched in April 2024 by Tinubu, is a federal initiative aimed at implementing a centralised electronic trade platform designed to streamline trade processes for importers and exporters by integrating and harmonizing data from multiple government agencies and stakeholders to enhance economic efficiency.

Speaking on the “Impact of the Single National Window on Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy,” Oyetola emphasised that the NSW is a pivotal step in positioning Nigeria as a global leader in trade and a demonstration the government’s commitment to modernising trade processes and maximising the utilisation of the country’s marine resources.

He said: “As highlighted by the World Bank, the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports can be up to 40 percent higher than in other West African countries due to delays and administrative bottlenecks, leading to an estimated annual revenue loss of N2.5 trillion within the business community.

“However, the implementation of the single window system can enhance efficiency, potentially reducing these costs by at least 25 percent.

“By streamlining operations, improving transparency, and minimising delays, the system not only drives cost savings but also strengthens overall trade facilitation.

“This is one of the initiatives we have introduced to position this economy as $1 trillion economy. Trade alone can actually give us the $1 trillion economy.”

Speaking on “The Impact of Single Window on Trade Facilitation in Nigeria,” Oduwole said the transformative power of the NSW would redefine ways trade was being conducted across Nigeria’s borders.

She said: “The establishment of a NSW system for trade processes in Nigeria is not merely a policy objective; it is a transformative reform that will fundamentally redefine the way trade is conducted across our borders.

“Our single window project will provide a centralised digital platform for traders to submit, process, and access trade-related documentation, thereby eliminating corruption through improved transparency, reducing administrative burdens, and significantly enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria.”

Recalling that she had been part of the NSW project since 2016 in her previous capacities in the Presidency, Oduwole enthused that “the time for delivery is now!”

She added: “Under President Tinubu’s 8-Point Agenda, economic growth and job creation are key priorities. The NSW will play a significant role in achieving these goals by enabling Nigerian businesses to compete more effectively in global markets and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub under African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Exports not only contribute to Nigeria’s GDP but also provide the foreign exchange needed to stabilise our economy and foster sustainable development.”

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, the NSW would align Nigeria’s trade processes with global standards, including frameworks under the AfCFTA, which is a priority area.

“Indeed, this initiative aligns seamlessly with Nigeria’s commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), finalised at the 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2013, and enforced in 2017.

“Article 10.4 of the Agreement encourages the adoption of single window systems, recognising their potential to reduce trade costs by over 14 per cent in low-income countries and 13 per cent in upper-middle-income countries.”

She, therefore, issued, “a call to collaboration” because the successful implementation of the NSW would require collective effort through transparency, inter-agency cooperation “and adherence to international standards must remain our guiding principles.”

Oduwole also assured that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment would give its full support and commitment to this initiative, so that “together, we can build a system that not only facilitates trade but also drives economic growth, attracts investment, and creates opportunities for all Nigerians.”

According to Uzoka-Anite, who spoke on, “The Impact of Single Window on the Nigerian Economy,” the implementation of the NSW would extend far beyond mere convenience, as the government believed strongly that it will have a significant impact in transforming the Nigerian economy by digitising and integrating trade procedures and unlocking a multitude of advantages. 

She added: “By streamlining processes and minimising delays, the NSW significantly reduces the time and cost associated with international trade. This enhances the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses in both domestic and international markets.

“The impact of the NSW on revenue generation cannot be overstated. By streamlining trade processes and enhancing transparency, the NSW will contribute significantly to increased revenue collection for the Nigerian government.”

The Minister of State for Finance also said the NSW, “is one of the initiatives that we have introduced to position this economy as a $1 trillion economy. Trade alone can actually give us a one trillion (dollar) economy.”

In his opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, said the NSW project was not just a step towards improving Nigeria’s trade processes but a leap towards unlocking the vast potential of its economy by, “contributing significantly to the realisation of a $1 trillion economy by 2031, in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Adedeji, however, hinged the success of this ambitious endeavor on one crucial element, which he identified as collaboration among government agencies, the public and private sectors, and all entities involved in trade facilitation.

“We must resolutely dismantle the traditional silos that have hampered our efforts, cultivate a spirit of shared responsibility and foster a collective commitment towards achieving our common goals.

“This requires a fundamental paradigm shift in our mindset – a willingness to embrace change, adapt to new ways of working, and to prioritise the national interest above the interests of any individual organisation,” he added.

The Special Assistant to the President on Policy Coordination, Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, said during the stakeholders’ forum that strong political would would be required to ensure successful implementation of the NSW’s project.

She added: “We need to ensure ICT readiness of all the agencies that are part of this. We also need to ensure that we have full political will, which the chairman of the FIRS has shown through the support he is having from President Tinubu.”

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), CG B.A. Adeniyi, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller General of NCS, DCG Kikelomo Adeola, however warned that reliance on technology alone would not yield the expectations on the NSW’s project.

Adeniyi said: “The deployment of advanced digital platforms must be accompanied by meticulous process reengineering, capacity building and proper change management.

“Past efforts in Nigeria have faltered due to the overemphasis on technology without adequately addressing the human and operational dimensions.”