The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday in Lagos commenced its stakeholders’ enlightenment campaign on the automation of licences and permits processes for import and export operations, in a move aimed at eliminating inefficiencies and curbing fraud associated with manual procedures.
City Business News reports that the new digital process is designed to address longstanding challenges in documentation, transparency and turnaround time within the maritime and trade ecosystem.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement session attended by manufacturers, customs agents, freight forwarders and bonded terminal operators, the Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Muhammed Babandede, said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, approved the new system in response to persistent calls for faster, more transparent and user-friendly Customs processes.
Babandede noted that once fully implemented, the automated system would eliminate paperwork bottlenecks, long queues and the uncertainty that often characterises manual processing.
“For many years, stakeholders have had to deal with paperwork, long queues, and the uncertainty that comes with manual processing. Those days are coming to an end,” he said.
He explained that under the new regime, stakeholders would no longer need to physically visit Customs Commands or the Service’s headquarters to apply for or renew licences and permits, as the entire process can be completed remotely.
“For stakeholders, automation means you will no longer have to go to a Customs office simply to apply for or renew a licence or permit. You will be able to do this from your office or even from your phone.
“It means your applications will be processed faster. You will be able to track the status of your application in real time. And the process will be the same for everyone — fair, consistent, and without the risk of error that comes with manual records,” he said.
He added that the sensitisation exercise would be extended across all Customs zones to ensure comprehensive understanding of the system before full rollout.
According to him, automation would also improve internal efficiency within the Service through better record-keeping, easier supervision and enhanced capacity to serve more stakeholders without increasing pressure on officers.
In her welcome address, Comptroller of Customs, Licence and Permit Unit, Tariff and Trade Department, Ngozika Anozie, said the automated system would significantly improve ease of doing business in the maritime sector while boosting revenue generation for both the Service and the Federal Government.
She disclosed that the platform is structured to automatically detect and reject fake documents uploaded into the system, while accepting genuine submissions, thereby minimising fraudulent practices.
“Automation will cut the cost of doing business and minimise movement risks for our stakeholders. They will no longer need to travel to Customs Headquarters in Abuja, incur hotel bills and other expenses just to obtain or renew licences and permits,” she said.
Anozie further revealed that the Licence and Permit Unit can now view assessments through the B’Odogwu platform to ensure that companies applying for fresh or renewed licences do not have outstanding assessments.
“The CGC is poised to sanitise the system, and we at the Licence and Permit Unit are passionate about ensuring that this objective is achieved,” she added.
She stressed that beyond convenience, the initiative would enhance statutory revenue generation, as every processed licence and permit translates into government earnings tied to importation and clearance processes.
Also speaking, Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Segun Oduntan, commended the NCS for the initiative but called for transparency and sincerity in implementation.
“Why do we need to travel to Abuja to renew our licence in this age? We welcome the development and will embrace the new system. However, the Service must ensure transparency. If there is no reason to call someone to Abuja, Customs should let it go. With that, an agent can renew his licence within 48 hours,” he said.
Oduntan also advised agents to thoroughly verify their documents before uploading them to the system to avoid unnecessary delays.
The sustained sensitisation campaign underscores the NCS’ commitment to digital transformation, trade facilitation and improved service delivery within Nigeria’s import and export value chain.
