Nigeria Customs Service to Leverage Technology for Trade and Revenue Generation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is proactively seeking to enhance trade facilitation and revenue generation through the adoption of advanced technological solutions. Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, believes that incorporating these innovative solutions will revolutionize Nigeria’s customs operations. He has expressed his commitment to initiating the necessary processes for their implementation in the country.
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition served as a backdrop for the NCS’s focus on technology. The conference provided insights into cutting-edge technological solutions that can effectively address complex customs challenges. Adeniyi, leading the Nigerian delegation at the conference held in Hanoi, Vietnam, acknowledged the valuable lessons learned from observing the deployment of artificial intelligence, machine learning, non-intrusive technology, and data analytics to analyze customs issues and offer effective solutions.
Highlighting the significance of the WCO Technology Conference, the acting CGC emphasized that it has served as a pivotal event for over a decade. It offers a platform for customs administrations, partner companies, sponsors, and technology firms to collaborate and exchange insights on the integration of technology into customs operations.
The NCS delegation included Assistant Comptroller-General ACG Kikelomo Adeola, who emphasized the importance of embracing an e-commerce process and spoke about the automation and AI-driven approach to improving customs operations. Jummai Umar Ajijola, Managing Director of the Trade Modernisation Project, stressed the strong partnership between the NCS and the Trade Modernisation Project, aimed at achieving end-to-end automation of NCS processes and procedures.
Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General of the WCO, welcomed the participants and reiterated the critical role of technology in supporting customs administrations worldwide.
The adoption of technology by the Nigeria Customs Service is expected to bring several benefits, including streamlined trade processes, improved efficiency, enhanced risk management, and increased revenue generation. By leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, the NCS aims to overcome the challenges associated with customs operations and provide effective solutions.
With a commitment to modernization and a strong partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project, the Nigeria Customs Service is poised to revolutionize its operations and foster a more efficient and effective trade ecosystem. By adopting advanced technological solutions, the NCS is paving the way for a future powered by innovation and automation, benefitting not only Nigeria but also the global trade community as a whole.
