Customs Plans 22 More Scanners to Boost Trade Facilitation

By Adebola Muili

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations to improve cargo clearance, strengthen trade facilitation and enhance operational efficiency.

The plan was disclosed at a quarterly engagement between the NCS and representatives of the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC) and the American Business Council (ABC), held at the Service’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on October 28, 2026, according to a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the engagement would strengthen collaboration and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in addressing issues affecting trade and investment.

Niagwan reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to institutional reforms, operational efficiency, digital transformation and enhanced stakeholder engagement, stressing that the objective was to build a modern Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security and compliance with regulations.

“Our objective is to build a modern, transparent, and responsive Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations,” she said.

She added that the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives, address emerging concerns and strengthen partnerships with American businesses operating in Nigeria and companies seeking investment opportunities in the country.

Niagwan emphasised that predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance and effective dispute resolution mechanisms were essential to improving the ease of doing business and boosting investor confidence.

Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted the automation of licence and permit applications as part of the Service’s digital transformation efforts. She said the planned deployment of 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations would complement the introduction of digital platforms to streamline operations.

Adebakin also highlighted the Service’s transition towards paperless administrative processes and urged members of the business community to provide feedback on their experiences with customs procedures to help identify operational challenges and improve service delivery.

The President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, commended the NCS for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic development, noting that its work often went unnoticed when trade operations ran smoothly.

“When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” Gaither said.

She noted that efficient customs operations were critical to advancing investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy. She also expressed appreciation for the continued collaboration between the Service and the American business community.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, commended the NCS for its progress in trade facilitation, transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Olele congratulated the Service on its emergence as a top-ranked agency in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment, while the council highlighted improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution mechanisms.

The council noted that the quarterly engagements had helped resolve longstanding challenges faced by businesses, providing a platform for sustained dialogue between the Service and private-sector stakeholders on issues affecting trade and investment.