Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening trade facilitation and eliminating operational bottlenecks as Nigeria prepares for the official rollout of the National Single Window, NSW, initiative.
This position was reiterated during the pre-launch of the NSW in Apapa, where key government officials and trade stakeholders gathered to discuss the transformative potential of the digital platform.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, reaffirmed the Service’s central role in driving the initiative through technology integration and stakeholder collaboration.
She noted that the Service has already laid significant groundwork through the deployment of the Customs trade facilitation platform, B’Odogwu, which aligns with the objectives of the National Single Window.
“We have been working tirelessly with all stakeholders involved in the National Single Window project. On our part, we have consistently provided the necessary support, especially since our trade facilitation platform, B’Odogwu, had already been deployed. The system has addressed initial challenges and is now stable,” she said.
Adebakin further explained that Customs technical teams are working closely with the NSW implementation team to ensure a seamless integration that will enhance cargo clearance processes, improve transparency, and strengthen regulatory compliance.
She added that the success of the one-stop digital trade platform will depend largely on the commitment of all participating agencies and stakeholders to adhere strictly to operational guidelines.
DCG Adebakin noted that the initiative represents another strategic milestone, aligned with the Service’s ongoing modernization drive to leverage technology to facilitate legitimate trade while strengthening regulatory efficiency at the nation’s ports and borders.
Earlier, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasized the Federal Government’s determination to deploy the system as part of broader economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the Minister, the platform will significantly simplify trade procedures and reduce delays associated with import and export processes, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s position as a competitive trading hub in the region.
“With the new system, it will become easier for businesses to import raw materials, spare parts, or finished goods, making local production more efficient and competitive, whether for domestic consumption or export across West Africa and the wider African continent,” he stated.
The pre-launch engagement comes ahead of the official rollout of the National Single Window scheduled for 27 March 2026, a development expected to significantly streamline trade procedures, reduce administrative burdens on businesses, and improve Nigeria’s overall ease of doing business.
