Customs Accelerate Digital Overhaul to Enhance Trade Efficiency
Nigeria Customs Service Expands Digital Transformation with Media Collaboration
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has significantly stepped up its efforts to advance its digital transformation agenda. This initiative is focused on improving trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security through a comprehensive Trade Modernisation Project. To achieve these goals, the NCS has emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration with the media to enhance public understanding and acceptance of the project.
During the opening ceremony of a training workshop for journalists on the Trade Modernisation Project, held in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the significance of this collaboration. Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Timi Bomodi, stated that the Customs Service is repositioning itself to meet the challenges of modern global trade, which is driven by technology, data, and the need for efficiency and transparency.
A Comprehensive Approach to Reform
According to Adeniyi, the Trade Modernisation Project is central to the agency’s reform agenda. It aims to overhaul customs operations through digital platforms, automated procedures, and integrated systems. He explained that in today’s rapidly evolving global trade environment, customs administrations must continuously adapt to emerging realities.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, under my leadership, remains firmly committed to aligning with these global standards while delivering on our core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security,” Adeniyi said.
He described the project as a technology-driven initiative designed to eliminate inefficiencies and create a seamless trading environment for importers, exporters, and other stakeholders. Through the deployment of modern digital platforms, automation of procedures, and integration of systems, the NCS is laying the foundation for a more efficient and globally competitive customs administration.
The Role of the Media
Adeniyi stressed that while infrastructure and technology are critical, they are not sufficient on their own. The success of any reform of this magnitude depends significantly on stakeholder understanding, acceptance, and participation. He noted that the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and strengthening trust in government reforms.
“As key partners in national development, the media serve as the bridge between institutions and the public. You shape narratives, influence perception, and provide the platform through which policies and reforms are interpreted and understood,” he stated.
The CGC urged journalists covering the trade sector to engage actively with the reform process and ensure accurate, balanced, and constructive reportage. He emphasized that the workshop was structured to provide in-depth knowledge of the Trade Modernisation Project, its objectives, operational framework, expected outcomes, and its broader impact on trade facilitation and economic growth.
Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement
In his welcome address, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, highlighted the importance of the workshop in deepening media understanding of the Customs modernisation programme and strengthening engagement between the Service and journalists.
Maiwada explained that the ongoing reforms were necessary as the Service continued to evolve in response to changing dynamics in global trade and Nigeria’s economic priorities. He noted that the project would deploy technology-driven solutions capable of simplifying customs procedures, improving operational efficiency, and boosting revenue collection.
“However, beyond the systems and infrastructure, the success of this initiative depends largely on effective communication, accurate information dissemination, and sustained public engagement,” Maiwada said.
He also acknowledged the strategic role of journalists in shaping public understanding and national discourse. “This workshop provides a strategic platform to equip you with the requisite knowledge, insights, and context needed to report accurately, responsibly, and constructively on the modernisation agenda of the Service,” he added.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The workshop comes amid the Federal Government’s broader push to digitise trade processes, improve ease of doing business, and increase non-oil revenue generation. In recent years, the NCS has intensified reforms aimed at reducing cargo clearance bottlenecks, curbing smuggling, increasing transparency, and improving efficiency at ports and border stations.
The government has repeatedly stressed that technology-driven customs operations remain critical to enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade, reducing corruption, and improving government revenue collection.
The event, themed “Enhancing Media Knowledge, Awareness and Understanding of Customs Modernisation Project,” brought together journalists, customs officials, technical partners, and other stakeholders to deepen public understanding of the Service’s modernisation drive.
