Customs Phase Out Manual Processing of Trade Permits, Licences

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday unveiled plans to fully automate all its licences and permits processes in a major push to modernise operations and enhance service delivery.

The announcement was made at a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the initiative as the beginning of a new chapter in the Service’s operations.

Represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Babandede, the CG noted that Zone A, being the country’s most economically active zone, bears special responsibility to ensure a seamless transition.

“For stakeholders, automation means you will no longer have to visit a Customs office to apply for or renew a licence or permit. You will be able to complete the process from your office or even from your phone,” Adeniyi said.

“It means faster processing of applications, real-time tracking of status, and a uniform system that is fair, consistent, and less prone to the errors associated with manual records.

“For the Service, automation will improve record-keeping, enhance supervision, and enable us to serve more stakeholders efficiently without increasing the burden on our officers. We understand that change can feel uncomfortable at first, but our team, led by the Comptroller of the Licences and Permits Unit, will guide stakeholders through every step of the new system,” he added.

The CG explained that the reform is a direct response to years of complaints from stakeholders over excessive paperwork, long queues, and the opacity of manual processing.

Also speaking, the Comptroller of the Licences and Permits Unit under the Tariff and Trade Department, Ngozika Anozie, outlined the broader impact of the automation drive, linking it to the CG’s three-point agenda of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.

Anozie said the digital platform would significantly reduce costs and save time for importers, clearing agents and freight forwarders.

She added that the system is equipped to automatically detect fraudulent documents and cross-check unpaid assessments through the B’Odogwu platform before processing applications.

According to her, every licence and permit issued contributes directly to federal government revenue, making the enhanced efficiency of the automated system beneficial to national earnings.

“Ultimately, this automation will enhance the statutory revenue generation duties of the Nigeria Customs Service, because fees are paid into government coffers with every single licence and permit processed.

Imports are made with the permits, clearing processes are stamped with the licences issued, and revenue is generated,” she said.

“So, the more licences and permits we issue or renew, the more revenue we generate for the NCS and the Nigerian economy. Automation also boosts efficiency and productivity, enabling officers to process more documents within minutes and achieve greater output.”

She disclosed that officers across various Customs Area Commands have already undergone training ahead of the rollout.

LEADERSHIP reports that the automation initiative is designed to eliminate longstanding bottlenecks associated with manual processing of trade licences and permits.

Under the new system, importers, clearing agents and freight forwarders will no longer need to travel to Customs offices or the Service’s headquarters in Abuja to process applications.

All procedures can now be completed digitally from any location, with applicants able to monitor the progress of their submissions in real time.