Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intensified efforts to equip its officers with critical knowledge of the National Single Window, NSW, project, describing it as a vital tool for improving trade efficiency, transparency, and Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.
This was highlighted during a National Single Window awareness programme for Service principal officers held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Comptroller-General, DCG, of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said the National Single Window initiative directly responds to stakeholders’ needs and will strengthen Nigeria’s engagement in global trade.
“I want to say that Single Window is responsive to the needs of the people, and this is all we need, not just as a nation, but for us to be able to communicate and relate with other nations and tell them that we are not just a giant of Africa, but a well-prepared and equipped giant of Africa”, she said.
DCG Adebakin explained that the initiative would significantly enhance Nigeria’s readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, stressing that digital trade platforms are essential for the country to compete effectively in the continental market.
She described the initiative as a strategic national priority, noting that the indigenous digital platform, B’Odogwu, is fully operational and will collaborate with NSW to streamline trade processes. “National Single Window is a tool that will prepare the nation for better positioning, placement and image in the Committee of Nations. I want to say that B’Odogwu is up and running to collaborate with NSW.”
DCG Adebakin urged officers to remain committed to the initiative’s success, calling on them to put hands on deck to ensure its effective implementation.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mohammed Babandede, emphasised that the awareness programme was organised to adequately prepare officers for the operational changes that will accompany the implementation of the project.
“The objectives of the NSW are to save time, eliminate costs, and increase transparency and revenue for the government. NCS under the leadership of the CGC has already taken such initiative to make business easier and also to bring efficiency and effectiveness into our daily activities through the deployment of trade facilitation tools”, he said.
Babandede reiterated that the National Single Window will work seamlessly with B’Odogwu and other trade platforms to strengthen the Service’s modernisation drive and improve service delivery.
