The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its commitment to the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project to enhance Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adeniyi, reaffirmed the Service’s resolve during a stakeholder engagement with airline and shipping line operators in Abuja on March 4, 2026.
CGC Adeniyi emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the successful rollout of the initiative, affirming that the support of critical stakeholders has played a significant role in the achievements recorded in the Service’s modernisation journey so far.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu mandated the Service to take a bold step towards the successful launch of the NSW, a move aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in global trade.
Adeniyi also acknowledged that airline and shipping line operators remain vital partners in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system.
He further assured stakeholders that adequate support structures are being put in place to ease the migration process.
“A help desk with well-trained personnel will be available to address any operational challenges that may arise during the rollout,” he added.
At an awareness programme held on March 3, 2026, the Service rallied stakeholders and partner agencies behind the initiative, describing the NSW as a strategic reform that aligns with Customs’ mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and inter-agency coordination.
Speaking at the programme, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the NSW as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.
DCG Adebakin revealed that the NCS has been actively engaged in preparatory work for months to ensure that the framework being developed reflects operational realities and supports seamless implementation.
“This is a national project, but Customs is at the centre of its execution. The success of the Single Window depends on collective understanding and cooperation. We must all appreciate its value because we cannot effectively promote what we do not fully understand,” she stated.
Adebakin reassured officers and stakeholders that the initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity rather than replace human resources, explaining that technology will enhance efficiency, transparency, and speed in cargo clearance and trade documentation processes.
On his part, the Director of the NSW Project, Mr. Tola Fakolade, acknowledged the pivotal leadership of Customs in the implementation process.
“Our number one stakeholder is the NCS. We have maintained a strong and constructive working relationship. Customs’ participation and institutional experience are critical to the success of this project,” Mr. Fakolade remarked.
