Customs Calls for United Effort to Drive Success of National Single Window Project
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project — an initiative designed to streamline Nigeria’s import and export procedures through a centralized digital platform.
This appeal was made by the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, during the National Single Window Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Lagos. The event was jointly organized by the National Single Window Project Secretariat and the NCS, attracting participants from government agencies, trade groups, and the import/export community.
In his opening remarks, ACG Babandede emphasized that the project’s success depends on cooperation, flexibility, and shared responsibility among all trade actors.
“The success of this project cannot be achieved by the government alone,” he said. “It requires everyone’s participation — openness to change, readiness to adopt new methods, and patience as we work through the challenges of such a major transformation.”
He further explained that enhancing operational efficiency at Nigeria’s ports would improve competitiveness and give manufacturers and traders greater predictability.
The Director of the National Single Window Project and Head of Secretariat, Tola Fakolade, stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement as the project approaches the launch of its first phase.
“As we near the rollout of the initial phase, it is crucial that all stakeholders fully understand the project’s scope and the positive impact it will have on their operations,” she noted.
Delivering the keynote address, Registrar and CEO of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe, described the National Single Window as a key driver for Nigeria’s effective participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He explained that the NSW will enable Nigeria to align its trade systems with regional and international standards by reducing costs and integrating trade agreements through the Customs Service’s B’Odogwu platform — thereby improving classification accuracy and duty payment efficiency.
The forum also included a panel discussion on global best practices, inter-agency collaboration, and trade coordination, followed by an interactive Q&A session with project leaders.
The National Single Window platform will allow importers and exporters to submit all required trade documentation via a single online portal, linking all relevant government agencies and minimizing delays in cargo clearance.
The first phase of the project is expected to be launched in March 2026, with the remaining phases scheduled for completion before the end of 2026.
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