Ahead of the phase one launch of the National Single Window (NSW) scheduled for March 27, 2026, the secretariat commenced a major sensitization drive for Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos.
The NSW landmark trade facilitation platform gained further momentum as key stakeholders within the Nigeria Customs Service gathered for a sensitization session at the Customs Training College Ikeja.
The engagement brought together senior officers and operational personnel of the Customs Service to deepen understanding of the National Single Window initiative and its role in transforming Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
Speaking during the session, the Director of the National Single Window project, Tola Fakolade, clarified misconceptions surrounding the initiative.
He emphasized that the NSW platform was designed strictly to facilitate trade and streamline processes across government agencies involved in import and export operations.
According to Fakolade, the platform would not encroach on the statutory revenue functions of any agency.
“The National Single Window is not taking any revenue from agencies. What it will do is facilitate ease of trade by integrating processes and improving transparency across all participating agencies,” he explained.
He further stressed that the initiative is not a tool for tax collection by the Nigeria Revenue Service. Rather, it is a presidential project established to modernize Nigeria’s trade infrastructure.
“The National Single Window is a presidential initiative with a steering committee made up of all relevant government agencies, each duly represented and led by the Presidency. Though the project is funded by the Nigeria Revenue Service, the goal is not to compete with any agency but to improve collaboration and efficiency,” Fakolade added.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, O.A. Adebakin, highlighted the strategic importance of the platform for Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness.
Adebakin noted that the National Single Window would significantly enhance operational efficiency within Customs while improving Nigeria’s standing in international trade circles.
She stated that by digitizing and harmonizing trade-related procedures, the platform would help position Nigeria more favorably in the global trading environment.
“The National Single Window will improve the image of Nigeria in the committee of nations as it relates to trade. It will simplify processes, reduce delays, and strengthen transparency within the system,” Adebakin said.
Participants at the sensitization workshop were taken through presentations outlining the operational framework, benefits, and collaborative structure of the platform. The engagement also provided an opportunity for officers to ask questions and gain clarity on how the initiative will interact with existing systems across agencies.
The sensitization forms part of ongoing efforts by the National Single Window Secretariat to ensure that all government agencies involved in trade operations are fully aligned with the objectives of the project ahead of its full implementation.
When operational, the National Single Window is expected to integrate multiple government agencies onto a unified digital platform, allowing traders to submit documents and complete regulatory requirements through a single interface. The initiative is widely regarded as a critical step toward reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving efficiency, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a competitive trading hub in Africa.
