Nigeria Customs Calls for Collective Commitment to Ensure Success of National Single Window Project
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has urged all stakeholders in the trade and logistics sector to demonstrate collective commitment towards the successful implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project – a transformative initiative aimed at streamlining 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 (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, during the National Single Window Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Lagos.
The event, jointly organised by the National Single Window Project Secretariat and the NCS, brought together representatives from government agencies, trade associations, and key players in the import and export sectors.
In his opening remarks, ACG Babandede stressed that the effective realisation of the National Single Window project depends on the active cooperation and adaptability of all stakeholders.
“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 said.
Babandede further underscored that improving efficiency at the nation’s ports would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and provide greater predictability for manufacturers and traders.
“You will agree with me, the more we make our ports efficient, the more they become competitive. And so also, manufacturers and stakeholders will be able to predict what will be the outcome,” he added.
The Director of the National Single Window Project and Head of Secretariat, Tola Fakolade, also emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement as the initiative approaches its first phase of implementation.
“As we are getting close to the launch of the first phase of this project, it 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 explained.
Delivering the keynote address, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe, highlighted the strategic significance of the National Single Window in Nigeria’s active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He noted that the system would align Nigeria’s trade processes with global and continental best practices, ensuring a more seamless and cost-effective trade environment.
“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,” Igwe said.
The engagement also featured a panel discussion on global benchmarking, coordination, and collaboration among trade actors. Participants were given the opportunity to engage directly with project leaders during an interactive question-and-answer session.
The National Single Window platform, once fully operational, will enable importers and exporters to submit all required trade documentation through a single online portal.
The system aims to interconnect relevant government agencies, significantly reduce bottlenecks, and boost transparency in the clearance process.
According to the organisers, the first phase of the project is expected to be launched in March 2026, while the second and third phases are anticipated to be completed before the end of 2026.
The NCS reaffirmed its commitment to driving the initiative in line with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to promote trade facilitation, digital transformation, and economic competitiveness.
