Lagos: Within just eight weeks, Nigeria’s National Single Window (NSW) portal has processed 39,039 trade-related applications—demonstrating its pivotal role in streamlining trade and boosting business efficiency nationwide.
The Director of the NSW, Mr Tola Fakolade, disclosed this during a briefing on Friday in Lagos.
Fakolade reviewed progress since phase one of the platform was deployed on March 27.
He noted this figure demonstrates the widespread and growing use of NSW nationwide.
“In the last eight weeks, about 39,039 applications, including licences, permits, and certificates, have been submitted through the platform.
“This underscores a significant and increasing reliance on the NSW for trade documentation,” he said.
Fakolade said the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) submitted 30,937 applications through the platform during the review period.
He added that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control submitted 7,942 applications.
According to him, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency processed 138 applications.
He said the National Agricultural Quarantine Service recorded 22 applications on the platform.
Fakolade stated that 7,567 registered users had been integrated into the NSW platform within eight weeks.
He said the users included traders, importers, licensed customs agents, clearing agents and other private-sector stakeholders.
According to him, 6,935 importers registered on the platform during the review period.
He added that 359 clearing and forwarding agents, 104 freight forwarders and 169 licensed customs agents also registered.
Fakolade said the Air Cargo Manifest Module became operational on March 27, with DHL serving as the pilot airline.
He disclosed that about 136 manifests had been submitted through the module since deployment.
According to him, eight airlines and courier operators have submitted Air Cargo Manifests through the NSW platform.
Fakolade said stakeholder training began in February across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.
He explained that the training enabled ministries, departments, agencies, and private stakeholders to process applications more accurately, enhancing overall platform usage and operational efficiency.
Ongoing end-user training nationwide ensures that new users can navigate the platform effectively and consistently apply correct procedures, resulting in smoother trade operations.
According to him, about 2,990 private-sector stakeholders had already been trained nationwide.
He said the sessions targeted importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs agents and other private-sector users.
“We also engaged in public stakeholder training and trained a total of 579 MDA representatives.
“The training ensured that MDA officers gained a detailed understanding of NSW process flows and their agency-specific duties. This has led to more accurate and efficient application processing by participants,” Fakolade said.
He said the programme also covered application reviews, approvals, escalations and stakeholder support responsibilities.
Fakolade said agencies trained included NAQS, SON, NESREA and NAFDAC, among others.
He disclosed that phase two of the rollout would begin in June.
According to him, the second phase will complete the platform’s manifest integration for airlines and shipping lines.
Fakolade thanked stakeholders for their support of the NSW initiative.
He encouraged broader participation in training to ensure the platform’s nationwide success.
