By Jennete Ugo Anya
T
he nation’s trade facilitation reforms are gaining momentum as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intensify collaboration on the National Single Window (NSW) project – a flagship initiative set to transform the country’s import and export systems.
At a recent high-level meeting in Abuja, top officials from both agencies reviewed progress and mapped out concrete steps to fast-track system integration ahead of the platform’s planned launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2024, the NSW is designed to streamline and automate trade procedures through a centralised digital platform. By linking government agency systems, according to the federal government, it will simplify documentation, improve transparency, reduce clearance times, and lower costs for businesses – boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, welcomed the FIRS team led by Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, stressing the project’s strategic importance. “We are here to exchange ideas and have open discussions that will help our preparations for the NSW,” Mr. Adeniyi said, noting that advanced technology will drive a modern trade ecosystem, cutting bottlenecks and improving compliance.
Dr. Adedeji described the collaboration as both timely and crucial to meeting the project’s ambitious deadlines. He said FIRS remains committed to supporting the integration process to ensure a seamless launch.
Director of the NSW Project, Mr. Tola Fakolade, joined senior officials from both agencies in discussing implementation strategies, with a shared focus on aligning technical systems and operational procedures to deliver the project’s goals.
For the President Tinubu administration, the NSW is a cornerstone reform – one that promises to accelerate trade flows, enhance revenue collection, and position Nigeria as a more competitive player in regional and international markets.
Extends e-Invoicing Transition Deadline
In another development, The FIRS granted companies an additional three months to complete onboarding and transition to the National e-invoicing Solution, giving businesses more time to integrate systems, test transmissions, and address readiness gaps before enforcement begins.
The announcement came during a recent two-day e-invoice Post Go-Live workshop in Lagos, where Chief of Staff to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Tayo Koleosho – represented by Director of Change Management, Mr. Emmanuel Eze – said that the extension should not be seen as an invitation to delay, but as a vital opportunity to ensure full compliance.
The e-invoicing Solution for Large Taxpayers went live on 1 August 2025, marking a significant step in modernising Nigeria’s tax administration. So far, according to the service, over 1,000 large taxpayers – around 20% of the target group – have been successfully onboarded. Leading firms such as MTN Nigeria, Huawei Nigeria, and IHS Nigeria are already transmitting live invoices.
16 service providers have also been certified to serve as both system integrators and access point providers, helping organisations adapt to the platform.
Mr. Koleosho assured that FIRS would continue to provide technical support, organise sector-specific engagements, and work closely with service providers to speed up adoption. “The success of this initiative depends on mutual trust and cooperation among FIRS, taxpayers, consultants, and technology partners,” he said.
E-invoice Project Manager, Mr. Mohammed Bawa, stressed that companies should complete onboarding by 1 November to allow enough time for integration and transmission. Depending on the complexity of their systems, he said integration could take between two and twelve weeks.
The e-invoicing rollout is a key part of the Tinubu administration’s broader push to digitise tax processes, enhance transparency, improve revenue collection, and make compliance easier for businesses across Nigeria.
