By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations to improve trade facilitation.
The Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, disclosed this during a quarterly engagement with US business groups in Abuja.
According to a statement on Thursday by Customs spokesperson, Abdulahi Maiwada, the Service is also automating licence and permit applications and moving towards paperless administrative processes.
The NCS urged businesses to provide feedback to help identify operational challenges and improve service delivery.
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 economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Niagwan reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to digital transformation, operational efficiency and transparent customs procedures.
She said predictable tariffs, timely cargo clearance and effective dispute resolution were essential to improving the business environment and boosting investor confidence.
The President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, commended the NCS for its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
Gaither said efficient customs operations benefit the public by facilitating trade. She identified agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy as sectors where effective customs administration could support investment.
The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, also commended the Service’s progress in trade facilitation and stakeholder engagement.
Olele congratulated the NCS on its performance in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council’s Compliance Assessment.
The Council also highlighted improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, advance rulings and dispute resolution, saying quarterly engagements had helped resolve longstanding business challenges.
