The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has rallied stakeholders in the nation’s trade and logistics sector to unite in driving the successful implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project a digital platform designed to streamline import and export operations across the country.
Speaking at the National Single Window Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Lagos, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, stressed that collaboration among all stakeholders is key to the project’s success.
“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,” Babandede said.
He added that improving port efficiency through the National Single Window system would boost competitiveness and predictability for manufacturers and traders.
The Director of the National Single Window Project and Head of Secretariat, Tola Fakolade, said the engagement was crucial as the project approaches the launch of its first phase.
“As we are getting close to the launch of the first phase of this project, this engagement is vital to ensure that all stakeholders understand its scope and the impact it will have on trade facilitation,” she noted.
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe, in his keynote address, said the project is essential for Nigeria’s effective participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He explained that the NSW would align Nigeria’s trade processes with continental and global standards by reducing transaction costs and integrating free trade agreements into Customs’ digital systems.
The forum, jointly organised by the NCS and the National Single Window Project Secretariat, featured discussions on global benchmarking, coordination, and cooperation among trade actors.
When fully implemented, the National Single Window will allow importers and exporters to submit all trade-related documents through a single digital portal, linking relevant government agencies and eliminating bottlenecks in cargo clearance.
The first phase of the project is expected to be launched in March 2026, with subsequent phases scheduled for completion before the end of the same year.
