By Peace Udugba
…Highlights B’Odogwu, Artificial Intelligence, Data-Driven Operations In Modernisation Push
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has showcased its ongoing digital transformation efforts at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Smart Customs Project Global Event held at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, from October 29 to 30.
The Service was represented at the global event by Assistant Comptroller Omolara Adedeji, who presented Nigeria’s progress towards building a technology-driven Customs administration.
The event brought together Customs administrations, technology experts and international stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies can strengthen Customs operations, improve border management and facilitate legitimate international trade.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by the WCO Deputy Secretary General, Ricardo Treviño Chapa, alongside keynote addresses by Xueyan Guo, Director General of the International Cooperation Department of China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), and Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee.
A major highlight of the first day’s programme was the launch and presentation of the updated WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies, which examined the evolution of the report, its key findings and relevance to member countries.
The session also featured presentations from Customs administrations that contributed case studies to the updated report, including Nigeria, represented by Adedeji, as well as officials from China’s General Administration of Customs and the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
In her presentation titled “Nigeria Customs Service: The Journey Towards Smart Customs,” Adedeji outlined the Service’s transition from traditional manual operations to integrated digital processes under its modernisation project.
She identified the development and deployment of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), as a major component of the transformation, noting that the platform supports automation, electronic processing, data-driven decision-making and improved collaboration with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private-sector stakeholders.
According to her, the NCS is deliberately moving away from conventional Customs operations towards an integrated digital system designed to improve efficiency and service delivery.
She explained that Nigeria’s Smart Customs vision rests on two major pillars: smart technology and smart data.
While smart technology encompasses automation, integrated systems, digital platforms and modern information and communications technology infrastructure, smart data focuses on intelligence-led interventions, data-driven risk management, analytics and improved information sharing.
Adedeji also emphasised the importance of human capacity development in sustaining the Service’s digital transformation, particularly through personnel training, upskilling and building the technical expertise required to drive innovation.
She further highlighted the application of geospatial technology in various operational areas, including fleet management, asset management and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).
According to her, these technologies are extending beyond Customs declarations to improve operational monitoring, resource management and cargo visibility.
The presentation also highlighted the Service’s transition from basic process automation to intelligent Customs operations, with priority areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, predictive analytics, non-intrusive inspection, integrated border management, interoperability and real-time operational intelligence.
Adedeji noted that the Service was prioritising emerging technologies while investing in the personnel needed to deploy them effectively.
She said the objective was to develop a system capable of anticipating risks, supporting real-time operational intelligence and facilitating seamless international trade.
The programme also featured presentations on the Smart Customs Project’s deliverables under its Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and Blockchain packages.
These included technical reports, readiness self-assessment tools and practical case studies designed to support Customs administrations in adopting emerging technologies.
Another session examined AI governance and deployment readiness in Customs, bringing together experts and representatives from Cambodia, Mexico, Türkiye and Vietnam to discuss institutional preparedness, governance frameworks and the responsible application of emerging technologies.
