By Tajudeen Balogun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced its readiness to launch a $3.2 billion digitise cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
NCS Comptroller-General, (CG) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, revealed this in an upcoming State House documentary, marking the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year anniversary in office.
This is as the public organization raked in the sum N1.3 trillion, income, within the first quarter of the ongoing business year.
Noting that the initiative is line with the Service preparation to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project, Adeniyi disclosed: “We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service.
“The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years”, Adeniyi affirmed.
He added that the newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and reducing port congestion.
NCS CG indicated further: “It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally.”
CG Adeniyi confirmed that the Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages.
He pointed out that over N64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, and major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.
Adeniyi confirmed that the new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Police have also yielded positive results.
He said: “We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged.”
Speaking further, the CG related that to ease trade and reduce business costs, NCS is fast-tracking the roll-out of the National Single Window.
This digital portal, he informed will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.
He said: “Right now, you deal with up to 15 agencies manually.
“With the Single Window, you’ll do it all online, in one place.
“This will slash clearance time and costs.”
He added that the clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to seven to 10 days for compliant importers.
The CG also confirmed that the agency has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processes in line with the government’s push for non-oil exports.
“We’re promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over N340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38 percent.
“We’re targeting even more in 2025, added Adeniyi.
He disclosed that the Customs Service is also undergoing internal transformation with over 1,800 officers trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence.
Adeniyi announced: “We collected N1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes.
“Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement.”
The New Diplomat reports that all the Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies are set to give account of their stewardship as President Tinubu marks his second year anniversary in office, on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
