The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) unveiled plans on Monday to fully automate its overtime cargo clearance system in the service’s Zone A Commands.
LEADERSHIP reports that the initiative will accelerate the evacuation of over 905 long-stalled consignments of 434 pieces of 40ft containers and 120 pieces of 20ft containers.
According to the service, cargoes in the seaports over time comprised used vehicles of different models and years, groupage containers, and scrap metal, among other things.
These abandoned cargoes are domiciled at Apapa, Tincan Island, and the Ports & Terminal Multipurpose Limited commands of the service, fueling port congestion.
Speaking during a sensitisation exercise with stakeholders in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the measure as a bold step to end decades of inefficiencies in managing overtime cargo, some of which have remained unresolved for as long as 15 years.
Adeniyi revealed that more than half of the complaints his office receives daily are linked to challenges in overtime cargo management. He emphasised that the automation initiative is not a revenue drive but a trade facilitation tool.
Adeniyi noted that, over time, cargoes—consignments left uncleared beyond the legally allowed timeframe—pose a major challenge to port operations.
He explained that, under the new system, cargoes not cleared within 30 days will be automatically referred to the office of the Assistant Comptroller-General for approval, while those left beyond three months will move to Customs Headquarters for further action.
He argued that, after 120 days, uncleared cargoes will be transferred to the disposal stage, following all legal procedures and at that stage, valuation will consider depreciation and the condition of the goods before assigning a final value.
The Customs chief stressed that the initiative is not aimed at revenue generation but at streamlining processes to facilitate trade, saying less than one per cent of the Service’s N6.3 trillion revenue in 2024 came from overtime cargoes.
“In 2024, our revenue profile rose to N6.3 trillion, yet less than one per cent came from the sale of overtime cargo. Our objective is not about revenue but about transparency, efficiency, and supporting economic growth,” Adeniyi stated.
He stressed that the Service is more interested in getting cargoes quickly to importers, manufacturers, and government agencies than keeping them in ports under overtime status.
According to him, special desks have been established at Customs headquarters and across commands to prioritise critical government projects, organise private sector imports, and diplomatic consignments.
Also speaking at the sensitisation, Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters (ACG HQTRS), Idaho Umar, described the automation initiative as part of the Service’s transformation into a modern, globally aligned organisation.
He explained that the end-to-end digital clearance system will simplify procedures, enhance data integrity, reduce human interaction, and ultimately restore public confidence in managing overtime cargo.
“Automating overtime cargo clearance will achieve process transparency, eliminate duplication, streamline documentation, and prevent indiscriminate disposal of goods. It will also ease congestion in ports, terminals, and warehouses,” the DCG said.
He added that the exercise reflects the Service’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023.
The session’s attendees were assured that the platform will be continuously monitored and refined through consultations with terminal operators, shipping companies, customs brokers, and other industry players.
The Customs leadership emphasised that while revenue remains important, the overarching goal is to facilitate trade, reduce importer costs, and make Nigeria’s ports more competitive.
