By Peace Udugba
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Single Window (NSW) Secretariat, has stepped up the implementation of the National Single Window initiative with a sensitisation programme for Customs officers, shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders as the maritime manifest submission phase officially begins.
Speaking during the sensitisation programme held at the Apapa Area Command on Tuesday, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said the exercise builds on a series of stakeholder engagements conducted before and after the successful launch of the first phase of the National Single Window on March 27, 2026.
Adebakin described the National Single Window as a globally recognised trade facilitation platform that will improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in international trade.
She noted that the country has already begun to experience the benefits of the initiative, stressing that the platform is enhancing Nigeria’s standing in global commerce.
“Since the introduction of the National Single Window, the country as a whole—not only the Nigeria Customs Service—has begun to experience its benefits.
Nigeria’s standing in international trade is improving, and the NCS remains committed to supporting the successful implementation of this initiative,” she said.
According to her, the platform extends beyond revenue generation by promoting trade facilitation, improving data reliability and strengthening anti-smuggling efforts. She assured stakeholders that the electronic submission of manifests would not change the statutory responsibilities of the Service but would simply provide a more efficient and transparent method of submitting the same documents.
Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Babandede, said stakeholder engagement has remained a key feature of the Service’s operations, noting that Customs always consults industry players before introducing new policies and digital innovations.
He described the sea manifest as a critical component of cargo declaration and risk management, urging shipping companies to submit accurate and timely manifests to support faster cargo clearance and more effective risk profiling.
The National Coordinator of the National Single Window Project, Tola Fakolade, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its commitment to the initiative. He disclosed that the platform has already recorded significant milestones, including the issuance of more than 100,000 licences and permits and the registration of over 1,000 users.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, praised participants for their active engagement and urged shipping companies, terminal operators and other stakeholders to sustain collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Single Window Secretariat.
He said stronger cooperation would accelerate trade facilitation, improve compliance, enhance transparency and further strengthen Nigeria’s position as a competitive trading nation.
