Worried about what the future holds in stock for the innovative B’ Odogwu “Magic Wand” initiated by the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Bashir Adeniyi Adeniyi ,as the Presidency unveils Q1’26 as the take off date of the National Single Window Project( NSW), I put a call through to Mr Tola Fakolade, the Director of the NSW on Wednesday July 30. I needed an official clarification on the status of B’ Odogwu post National Single Window. Project B’ Odogwu which has been successfully launched in the PTML, Tin Can Island and Apapa commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, is a homegrown IT solution designed to modernise Customs operations by enhancing trade facilitation and cargo processing efficiency. The ” B” in B’ Odogwu stands for ” Border” , representing all Customs processes within Nigeria, while ” Odogwu ” is an Igbo word signifying strength,power and efficiency. The response from NSW project Director was very reassuring and heartwarming: ” Mr Beks,
B’Odogwu has come to stay, it is not going anywhere because the lofty ideals and goals are in line with the Single Window Project. However, the only adjustment we expect is that once the NSW project takes off at the end of Q1 2026, B’ Odogwu like all other platforms being operated by SON, NAFDAC, etc will be collapsed into the National Single Window. For instance, Customs Licensed Agents may have to access B’ Odogwu through the NSW platform’ he disclosed. Mr Fakolade however explained that there would be a period of grace to allow for a hitch free transition. Speaking recently at a public forum in Lagos , CGC Wale Adeniyi explained that previous attempts at a National Single Window Project failed due to fragmented technicalgical systems, insistutional bottle necks as well as inadequate physical and technological infrastructure.
At an expanded stakeholders engagement in Lagos recently, the Director of the National Single Window Project, Mr Tola Fakolade, explained that the project was a game changer and had the tendency of propelling the nation’s economy to new heights. He told stakeholders that the initiative was a bold testament to the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to breaking long-standing standing development barriers in advancing the progress, prosperity and well being of every Nigerian. But before this renewed push by President Tinubu, there have several failed attempts and that this time around, all such barriers have been broken. He further explained that to pave way for a seamless transition, the role of NSW has been captured in the recently passed tax reform bill which has been signed into law by Mr President. A National Single Window is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to submit standardized information and documents through a single point of entry to fulfill all import, export and transit related regulatory requirements. It essentially streamlines the trade process by consolidating information and procedures from various government agencies into one digital platform. History has that Singapore is the first country to successfuly deploy the Single Window Project some 30 years ago, and has since been embraced by several developing countries.