The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Single Window (NSW) Secretariat have commenced the online submission of maritime manifests.

This comes as the organisations have intensified the implementation of the NSW with a sensitisation programme for Customs officers, shipping lines and other maritime stakeholders.
So far, the digital platform has issued over 100,000 licences and permits while over 1,000 users have been registered since its rollout on March 27, 2026.

The National Coordinator of the NSW Project, Tola Fakolade, disclosed this during the sensitisation held at Apapa Area Command, Lagos, while highlighting the progress recorded so far.

Fakolade commended the NCS for its sustained support, describing the achievements as important milestones in the implementation of the digital trade platform.

The Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT and modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said the exercise built on stakeholder engagements held before and after the successful launch of phase one of the NSW.

She said the platform would strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade, adding that the country has already started experiencing the benefits of the digital trade facilitation initiative.

Adebakin said since the introduction of the NSW, the country has begun to experience its benefits, noting that Nigeria’s standing in international trade is improving.

Adebakin explained that the NSW goes beyond revenue generation to promotion of trade facilitation, improving reliable data and stronger anti-smuggling measures.

She assured stakeholders that the electronic submission process would not alter the NCS’ statutory responsibilities.

“It is simply a more efficient and transparent method of submitting the same documents,” Adebakin assured.

On the commencement of the maritime manifest submission phase, the Zonal Coordinator of Customs, Zone ‘A’, Mohammed Babandede, said the sea manifest remains central to cargo declaration and risk management.

He noted that the sensitisation exercise was aimed at preparing shipping companies and other stakeholders for seamless compliance with the new electronic process.

The Zonal Coordinator urged shipping lines to submit accurate and compliant manifests promptly, noting that timely electronic submission would support faster cargo clearance, improve risk profiling and support efficient trade operations at the country’s seaports.

Babandede added that continuous stakeholder engagement has remained a key feature of the Service’s reform agenda, noting that Customs consistently consults industry players before introducing new policies and digital solutions.

Also speaking, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Area Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, urged shipping companies, terminal operators and other stakeholders to sustain collaboration with the NCS and the NSW Secretariat.