The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) have launched a reform initiative aimed at improving port efficiency and reducing delays in cargo clearance.
The plan was unveiled during a three-day workshop in Apapa, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the initiative focuses on joint inspections, risk-based cargo clearance, improved scanning systems, enforcement of timelines, and better coordination among agencies.
He said the Service would now prioritise implementation over policy discussions.
“This workshop is about closing the distance between knowing and doing,” Adeniyi said.
He added that the Service is shifting to intelligence-led cargo processing to ensure faster and more transparent clearance.
The Customs boss said a reform implementation matrix would be developed and closely monitored.
“The reform implementation matrix will not end up in a filing cabinet… I will personally follow the progress reports,” he said.
Director-General of PEBEC, Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, said adopting risk-based inspections would reduce costs and improve efficiency.
“We must move from inspecting everything to inspecting the right thing,” she said.
Deputy Comptroller-General, Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said Customs plays a key role in trade facilitation and economic growth.
The delegation also visited the National Single Window project, where they met with Zacch Adedeji and other stakeholders.