Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

As part of efforts to enhance trade facilitation and revenue generation, the Nigeria Customs Service has sought the intervention of the Senate Committee on Customs to address its core needs by providing modern tools for the complete automation of its operations.

Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR made this plea on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Senate Wing of the National Assembly, Abuja. He emphasised that this call underscores the Customs Service’s commitment to fostering economic growth, job creation, and dynamic trade relations.

On the Senate Committee’s request that the service should double efforts towards revenue generation, the CGC noted that it is not only introducing automation but also standardising them to enhance Customs clearance processes, revenue generation, which will provide a better experience for both Customs administration and stakeholders.

He recalled that the service initiated the automation process since late 1990s when it acquired modern gadgets, including computers and software, as part of the Service’s efforts to introduce computerisation processes.

On the proposed concession of the service, the CGC highlighted some of the reasons for the need for the service to automate its operations, which include to provide an end-to-end ICT platform to digitalise procedures and processes. The second one, according to him, is to look at the present infrastructure base and update it in line with international standards to enable them rank amongst the best in the world.

He explained that the third objective was to provide technology-based solutions to address challenges faced by the service.

“The last part is the need for modern infrastructure to provide the tools needed that will be associated with these objectives, deliverables, and part of the deliverables is to build a Unified Customs Management System.

“The system needs to process the traditions of goods that will provide electronic party systems for the Service whereby its entire processes would be automated. The conditions of the non-intrusive inspection system include provisions, revisions of cargo tracking systems, intelligent gates, new infrastructure, like a data center to build the capacity of officers because it is essential in the last phase of the project”, the CGC said.

Speaking on the Service’s strategic approach to enhancing trade and ensuring smooth businesses for local traders, Adeniyi urged the Senators to actively support local business people in exporting items, emphasising that such a perspective shift could significantly contribute to boosting Nigeria’s economy and play a pivotal role in job creation.

In response, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Muhammad Sani commended Adeniyi for the strides made in revenue generation. While expressing optimism, Senator Sani asserted that the Nigeria Customs Service, with its recent revenue records, appeared poised to multiply its financial contributions—an imperative for the country given its current economic needs.

He said: “By encouraging a more balanced approach, the aim is to empower local businesses through increased attention to export initiatives, aligning with a broader vision for a sustainable economic landscape.”

A similar interactive session with the Procurement Committee of the House of Representatives to shed light on the financial commitments of the Nigeria Customs Service is expected to hold not too long from now.