Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service has called for collective commitment from all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the National Single Window, NSW, initiative aimed at simplifying Nigeria’s import and export processes through a unified digital platform.
The call was made by the Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, during the National Single Window Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Lagos.
The event was jointly organised by the National Single Window Project Secretariat and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, drawing participants from government agencies, import and export sectors, and trade associations.
In his opening remarks, ACG Babandede emphasised that the success of the project requires collaboration and adaptability from all players in the trade ecosystem.
“The success of this project does not rest on the shoulders of the government alone. It requires all of us in this room to play our part. It requires openness to change, willingness to adopt new ways of working, and patience as we navigate the inevitable challenges that come with any major transformation,” he stated.
He added that improving efficiency at the nation’s ports would enhance competitiveness and predictability for manufacturers and traders. “You will agree with me, the more we make our ports efficient, the more it will be competitive. And so also manufacturers and stakeholders will be able to predict what will be the outcome.”
The Director of the National Single Window Project and Head of Secretariat, Tola Fakolade, highlighted the importance of the engagement as the project nears its first phase launch.
“As we are getting close to the launch of the first phase of this project, this is very important to ensure that all our key stakeholders, really understand the scope of what we are doing and how this project is going to impact what they do,” Fakolade said.
In his keynote address, Registrar and CEO of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, Kingsley Igwe, noted that the National Single Window is vital to Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
He highlighted that the NSW has become imperative for Nigeria to fully participate in AfCFTA by ensuring trade processes align with continental and global best practices. “These practices include reducing costs and integrating free trade agreements into the National Single Window system through the B’Odogwu platform of the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance effective classification and duty payments.”
The forum featured a panel discussion on global benchmarking, coordination, and cooperation among trade actors, as well as an interactive question and answer session that allowed participants to engage directly with project leaders.
The National Single Window platform is designed to allow importers and exporters to submit all required trade documents through a single digital portal, connecting all relevant government agencies and reducing bottlenecks in the clearance process.
The launch of the first phase is expected to take place in March 2026, while the second and third phases are projected to be completed before the end of 2026.
