Nigeria Customs Flags Off Modernization Project For Automation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has begun the automation of its processes through the launch of Customs Modernization Project Management Office designed to unlock new possibilities and opportunities for growth and success of the Service.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony for the project earlier on Monday, Comptroller-general of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) underscored the significance of digitalization in driving efficiency, transparency and effectiveness.

He believes that its deliverables will have a transformative impact on reform, restructuring, and revenue generation across NCS.

By leveraging technology effectively, NCS can adapt to changing market dynamics in trade, optimize its operations, and unlock new revenue streams thereby contributing to economic growth and wellbeing of Nigerians.

The CG said, “the flag-off of the modernisation project signifies not just the culmination of our efforts, but also a celebration of the NCS’s determination, resilience, and foresight. Every step we have taken has been a testament to our commitment to organizational goals, pushing the boundaries of excellence, and embracing the transformative power of digitalization.”

Col. Ali said the project management office symbolizes the beginning of a journey filled with excitement, camaraderie, and personal triumphs for the NCS.

He urged all staff of the Customs Service to ensure that impact of the modernisation project reverberates throughout every border of the country, adding that “It is through this transformation that we will unlock new possibilities and opportunities for growth and success. Let us remind ourselves that technology does not drive itself, people do. We must be receptive to the new ideas that evolve with technology, we must be ready to adapt to changes in our working environment.”

NCS partnered with Trade Modernisation Project Limited under a public private partnership arrangement to deliver technology for full automation of its processes, to aligns with its peers around the world.

“The project would result in efficiency in NCS’ service delivery,” Assistant Comptroller-general of Customs, ICT-modernisation K.I,” Adeola said.

Under the terms of the concession agreement, TMP will invest a total of $3.2 billion over a 20-year period, which will generate more than $200 Billion in revenue for the federal government.

The federal executive council had in April 2023 approved the NCS modernisation project, also known as e-customs, despite a court order restraining the federal government from going on with the initiative. The project became a subject of dispute after one of the companies in the consortium, Bionica, allegedly showed “recalcitrance” out of the terms of the agreement.

“As trade becomes increasingly complicated, the project will equip the NCS with the necessary technology tools and platforms to drive trade harmonization,” ACG Adeola stated at the flag-off ceremony.

According to her, the project will be implemented through a border management system that entails the monitoring of border traffic and providing tactical support for border patrol teams, as well as border traffic intelligence.

Apart from that, the project is expected to ensure automation of Customs services to enhance the backend capacity of the NCS to allow for seamless integration of the chain of command requirements across the operational and administrative aspects of the NCS activities. The automation services include the human resources management system; document management system and; asset management system.