Digital Reforms Tighten Valuation, Enforcement – Customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has defended its ongoing digital transformation programme, saying the reforms are strengthening transparency, reducing human discretion and closing loopholes that have historically facilitated revenue leakage and procedural abuse.

The Service also reaffirmed its commitment to independent oversight and accountability amid renewed public scrutiny of its enforcement and administrative practices.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, stated this while responding to issues which examined enforcement activities along border corridors in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States and raised questions about vehicle valuation procedures at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.

Rather than treating the issues as an isolated controversy, Maiwada explained that the Service had developed digital systems and institutional safeguards specifically designed to prevent the kinds of abuses highlighted in the report.

He said a key component of the reform is the digital VIN-Valuation framework now deployed for vehicle clearance nationwide.

Under the framework, standard vehicles are assessed automatically against global manufacturer specification databases, thereby removing human discretion from the vast majority of valuation decisions.

According to him, only vehicles with non-standard or non-compliant Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), including specialised heavy equipment, classic models, customised vehicles and vintage automobiles, are routed through the “846” Extended Procedure Code.

Maiwada noted that such applications require mandatory secondary approval from designated Valuation Officers and Area Controllers before clearance can be granted.

He said the post-clearance audit regime further strengthens accountability, as discrepancies identified during audits routinely trigger Demand Notices for the recovery of short-collected duties and may lead to the suspension of clearance licences belonging to offending agents.

The Service also pointed to revenue performance at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands, saying collections have reached historic highs under the digital framework.

It attributed the improvement to tighter digital oversight and systems designed to reduce opportunities for manipulation and revenue loss.

On enforcement along the land borders, the NCS said seizure figures regularly disclosed during media briefings contradicted claims of an unchecked surge in smuggling.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing federal restrictions while ensuring that legitimate trade continues to receive the necessary facilitation.

The NCS also defended the integrity of its recruitment and promotion processes, particularly following questions surrounding the recently released shortlist for Assistant Superintendent of Customs II.

According to the Service, the recruitment exercise, covering application, computer-based testing, physical screening and final selection, was conducted under the direct supervision of the Nigeria Customs Service Board in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and Federal Character Commission guidelines.

It explained that the published list represents provisional offers and remains subject to medical and background verification.

On internal succession and promotion, the Service said the process is governed by the Public Service Rules and the NCS Act 2023, with advancement based on seniority, demonstrated merit in promotion examinations and the availability of established vacancies rather than personal or group preference.

Officials said promotion exercises under the current leadership had become more regular, transparent and prompt, stressing that no qualified officer had been denied advancement on account of their year of recruitment.

The Service further highlighted its leadership training programmes, including courses conducted at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, and overseas institutions, as part of its broader human capital development strategy.

It said the programmes are funded through approved federal budgetary allocations or formal technical assistance arrangements with partner institutions, including the World Customs Organisation.

On calls for independent scrutiny, the NCS said it remains subject to statutory oversight by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the National Assembly, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The Service said it neither fears nor evades legitimate scrutiny, maintaining that oversight remains an important component of institutional accountability.

“The management maintains a firm, intolerant posture toward corruption, revenue leakage, or administrative misconduct,” the Service stated.

It added that any officer or stakeholder found complicit in unethical conduct would face institutional disciplinary procedures and prosecution in accordance with the law.