Lagos Customs Trains Officers on National Single Window to Boost Trade Efficiency
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up efforts to deepen officers’ understanding of the National Single Window (NSW) initiative as part of its drive to enhance trade efficiency, transparency and Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.
This formed the focus of a National Single Window awareness programme for principal officers of the Service held on Monday at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, described the National Single Window project as a strategic tool designed to meet the needs of stakeholders while strengthening Nigeria’s engagement in international trade.
She said the initiative would help position Nigeria more competitively in global markets by streamlining trade processes and improving communication with international trading partners.
“The Single Window is responsive to the needs of the people, and this is what we require not only as a nation but also to engage effectively with other countries. It demonstrates that Nigeria is not just the giant of Africa but a well-prepared and equipped giant,” Adebakin said.
According to her, the initiative will significantly enhance Nigeria’s readiness to participate effectively in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that digital trade platforms have become essential for nations seeking to remain competitive in the evolving global trading environment.
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She described the project as a strategic national priority and revealed that the indigenous digital trade platform, B’Odogwu, is already operational and will work in synergy with the National Single Window system to simplify and accelerate trade processes.
“The National Single Window will better position Nigeria within the global community of nations. I also want to state that B’Odogwu is fully operational and ready to collaborate with the NSW platform,” she added.
Adebakin urged Customs officers to remain committed to the initiative and actively contribute to its successful implementation, stressing the need for collective responsibility in driving the reform.
Earlier in his remarks, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Babandede, said the awareness programme was organised to adequately prepare officers for the operational changes expected with the implementation of the project.
Babandede explained that the National Single Window is designed to reduce processing time, eliminate unnecessary costs, enhance transparency and improve revenue generation for the government.
“The objectives of the National Single Window are to save time, eliminate costs and increase transparency and revenue for the government. Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Service has already taken steps to make business easier and improve efficiency in our operations through the deployment of trade facilitation tools,” he said.
He added that the National Single Window will operate seamlessly alongside the B’Odogwu platform and other digital trade systems to further strengthen the Service’s modernisation drive and improve overall service delivery.
By PRNigeria
