The Nigeria Customs Service in conjunction with the Secretariat of National Single Window NSW, platform, has commenced its sensitisation programmes for operators and other stakeholders comprising Customs officers, shipping lines and other maritime stakeholders to herald the takeoff of ship manifest submission phase of the NSW implementation.

Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT/Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, while speaking during the sensitisation programme held at Apapa Area Command of the Service on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, said the programme is a continuation of the several stakeholder engagements held before and after the successful launch of Phase one of the NSW platform on March 27, 2026.

According to her, the platform is an international best practice that will strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global trade arena.

“Since the introduction of the NSW platform, Nigeria as a whole, not only the Customs Service has begun to experience its benefits. The country’s standing in international trade is improving, and the Service remains committed to supporting the successful implementation of this initiative.

“The commencement of the maritime manifest submission phase under NSW has triggered renewed engagements with key industry players, as the Service and the NSW Secretariat have moved to ensure a smooth transition to the next stage of the trade facilitation initiative”, she noted.

The event, which had in attendance, representatives of shipping lines and other maritime stakeholders, provided clarification on the new phase and its implementation requirements.

DCG Adebakin further disclosed that the engagement was in line with efforts to consolidate the gains recorded since the successful launch of Phase One of the NSW on 27 March 2026.

“The latest phase follows extensive consultations with stakeholders before and after the launch, with the objective of ensuring that industry operators are adequately prepared for the transition.

“The NSW is an internationally recognised trade facilitation model, capable of improving efficiency, transparency and coordination across Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, while strengthening the country’s competitiveness in global commerce.

“This facility goes beyond revenue generation to deliver trade facilitation, reliable data and stronger anti-smuggling measures. She assured participants that the electronic submission would not alter the Service’s statutory responsibilities. “It is simply a more efficient and transparent method of submitting the same documents”, the DCG further argued.

Meanwhile, Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Lagos, of the Service, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Babandede, said stakeholder engagement remains a hallmark of the Service. He stressed that Customs consistently consults industry players before introducing new policies and digital solutions.

“The sea manifest is central to cargo declaration and risk management. I urge shipping companies to submit compliant manifests promptly to support faster cargo clearance and efficient risk profiling”, ACG Babandede said

National Coordinator of the NSW Project, Tola Fakolade, commended the Service for its unwavering support and noted that the platform has achieved significant milestones, including the issuance of over 100,000 licences and permits and the registration of more than 1,000 users.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, while delivering the closing remarks, lauded participants for their active engagement.

He further urged shipping companies, terminal operators, and other stakeholders to sustain the partnership with the Service and the NSW Secretariat to facilitate trade, improve compliance, strengthen transparency, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a competitive partner among the comity of trading countries.