By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a fully paperless port environment as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global commerce.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known on Friday, March 6, 2026, during a strategic meeting with the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Audu, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration between the two institutions to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and accelerate digital reforms across Nigeria’s ports.
Adeniyi explained that the Service has institutionalised regular consultations with key stakeholders, including the American Business Council Nigeria and other trade associations, to address operational challenges and strengthen cooperation within the trade ecosystem.
According to him, such engagements provide valuable feedback from businesses that interact directly with Customs at the nation’s ports.
The CGC also disclosed that the Service recently conducted a Time Release Study (TRS) in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO), using Tin Can Island Port as a case study.
The study, which assessed the time and cost involved in cargo clearance processes, involved major stakeholders including shipping companies, terminal operators, the Nigerian Ports Authority, licensed customs agents, and financial institutions. Its findings were compiled into a report that was publicly launched on January 26, 2026.
Adeniyi noted that the exercise provided practical insights that are already guiding ongoing reforms within the Service.
“We deliberately involved every segment of the port community so the findings would reflect the real operational environment. The report has already provided valuable insights guiding some of the reforms we are implementing,” he said.
On the issue of 24-hour port operations, the CGC stressed that the success of such an initiative depends on the full participation of all actors within the logistics chain.
He recalled that a previous attempt by the Service to support round-the-clock port operations faced challenges because other critical operators such as banks, shipping companies and terminal operators were not fully integrated into the system.
Adeniyi further revealed that most core Customs processes—including pre-arrival documentation, cargo declaration, duty payment and release communication—have already been digitised.
“Where delays still occur, they are often linked to operators who continue to rely on physical documentation. That is an area we intend to address in the coming months,” he added.
The Customs boss also highlighted ongoing investments in scanning technology and ICT infrastructure aimed at strengthening risk-based cargo management and reducing reliance on physical cargo examination.
He noted that development partners such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization have continued to encourage Nigeria to expand the use of non-intrusive inspection technology in line with global best practices.
Earlier, Audu explained that PEBEC is implementing a 90-day Business Environment Enhancement Programme designed to address operational challenges identified in its Business Facilitation Compliance Report released in November 2025.
According to her, the initiative aims to improve efficiency across business-facing Ministries, Departments and Agencies by strengthening collaboration and removing operational bottlenecks that hinder ease of doing business in the country.
She added that PEBEC recently conducted a three-day operational assessment at Lagos ports in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority, during which officials observed cargo handling processes from vessel arrival to cargo exit and engaged regulators and private sector stakeholders.
“The exercise enabled us to identify key operational challenges affecting port efficiency and develop practical recommendations for improvement,” Audu said.
Among the issues identified were the need to strengthen joint vessel boarding by regulatory agencies, improve coordination of cargo inspections and expand the use of technology in port operations.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said vessel arrival schedules already provide sufficient information for efficient operational planning at the ports.
She noted that effective utilisation of such data would allow the Service to deploy officers strategically instead of maintaining personnel at terminals while awaiting vessel arrivals.
“The concept of 24-hour port operations should focus on smarter deployment of personnel based on vessel schedules, not merely extending working hours,” Adebakin said.
She further assured that the Service remains ready to address operational issues reported through the PEBEC platform, stressing that sustained collaboration between the two institutions is essential for improving port efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s business environment.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade reiterated the effectiveness of several trade facilitation tools introduced by the Service to accelerate cargo clearance for trusted traders. These include the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, Advance Ruling System and the One-Stop-Shop initiative aimed at advancing the Federal Government’s goal of improving trade efficiency in Nigeria.
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