The Federal Government has fixed December 14, 2026, for the commencement of the second phase of the National Single Window project, with the new phase expected to digitise export documentation and permit processing across relevant government agencies.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s trade processes, improve regulatory compliance, reduce administrative bottlenecks and prevent revenue leakages in the import and export sectors.
The Director of the National Single Window Project, Tola Fakolade, disclosed the planned commencement date during the Phase Two National Single Window Sensitisation Programme held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday.
Fakolade said the second phase would provide exporters with a single digital platform through which they could submit required documents and obtain permits and approvals from relevant regulatory agencies.
He explained that the system was designed to simplify interactions between exporters and government institutions by reducing the need for multiple submissions to different agencies.
According to him, the digital platform would also strengthen transparency and accountability by improving the monitoring of regulatory processes and ensuring that users comply with established requirements.
Fakolade said the first phase of the project, which focused on the submission of licences and permits, had recorded significant progress, particularly in improving compliance and preventing revenue leakages.
He noted that feedback from agencies participating in the initial phase indicated that the platform’s compliance mechanisms had encouraged users to follow the prescribed regulatory procedures.
The project is expected to reduce the administrative burden on businesses involved in international trade, while enabling government agencies to access relevant information through a more coordinated digital system.
The second phase’s focus on export documentation is particularly significant for businesses operating in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, where delays in obtaining permits and regulatory approvals can affect shipment schedules, operating costs and competitiveness.
By integrating relevant processes into a single platform, the government hopes to improve the efficiency of export transactions and strengthen the country’s capacity to monitor trade-related activities.
The National Single Window initiative is also expected to support Nigeria’s broader trade facilitation objectives by improving coordination among border agencies, reducing duplication and making regulatory requirements more predictable for businesses.
