Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The National Single Window (NSW) Committee has commenced preparations for the deployment of Nigeria’s Single Window Platform with the launch of its end-user training programme scheduled to begin on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The training exercise precedes the platform’s official go-live date of March 27, 2026, and is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate Phase One of the system.
Speaking during a series of town hall meetings held in Apapa, Lagos, last week, the Director of the NSW Committee, Tola Fakolade, called on importers, exporters, customs brokers, freight associations and other trade stakeholders to prioritise participation.
“The training is designed to guide you on how the system works, how to navigate it, and how to complete all the processes included in phase one of the project,” Fakolade said. “It is very important for stakeholders to prioritize this training so that when we go live, you will not encounter difficulties completing the processes.”
Stakeholders can register for the programme via booking.nsw.gov.ng, with sessions scheduled to run across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other regions nationwide. Lagos alone will host six centres to give participants flexible options.
“Please register, it is very important because each classroom size is limited, and we want to accommodate everyone properly. This training is extremely important,” he added.
Fakolade explained that the training will be fully practical, with laptops provided to participants to ensure hands-on engagement with the new system.
As part of efforts to ensure a smooth transition, the NSW Committee is also setting up a transition committee made up of representatives from key government agencies involved in the first phase of the project, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), NAFDAC and NESREA.
“We will also consult with freight forwarders and licensed customs agents to ensure we have case studies covering different scenarios and potential challenges. Each agency will be handled differently, the way we address NAFDAC cases will differ from how we handle SON cases, but we will ensure clarity throughout,” he noted.
He added that help desks and walk-in centres will be established nationwide to support users during the transition period.
According to him, the Committee’s ultimate goal is to guarantee a seamless migration once the Single Window system goes live.
