By Barnabas Esiet.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has intensified its shift towards intelligence-driven enforcement, technology deployment and strategic partnerships as part of efforts to combat smuggling while facilitating legitimate trade.
The Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this in Lagos recently, during an engagement with executives of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON).
Aliyu explained that intelligence remains a key component of the Service’s enforcement strategy, but stressed that it is not the only line of action being deployed by the Customs administration.
According to him, the NCS is increasingly relying on intelligence, modern enforcement tools and techniques, risk assessment systems and technology to improve its operations.
He noted that the deployment of technology was also critical to maintaining an appropriate balance between effective enforcement and trade facilitation, particularly in terms of cargo throughput and turnaround time at the ports.
The Comptroller said modern systems such as risk-based assessment and other digital deployments would enable Customs to identify high-risk consignments without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate cargo flows.
He cautioned that reverting to analogue methods would make Customs operations more cumbersome and inconsistent with international best practices.
Aliyu said the ongoing reforms were deliberate efforts by the Customs administration to ensure that its operations remain responsive to changing realities and aligned with global standards.
He also linked the technological and intelligence-driven approach to Nigeria’s preparations for increased trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
With intra-African trade expected to expand under AfCFTA, he said Nigeria must position its Customs administration to handle increased cargo volumes efficiently while maintaining effective border controls.
The Comptroller further highlighted the importance of harmonising Customs systems across African countries to facilitate seamless cross-border trade.
He pointed to the recent engagements of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, with Customs administrations in East Africa and other countries as part of efforts to understand international practices and strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for AfCFTA.
Aliyu said the NCS was also moving beyond conventional inter-agency collaboration towards strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
He described the engagement with AMJON as an example of such a partnership, stressing that stronger cooperation with stakeholders would contribute to improved enforcement and trade facilitation.
The Customs chief said the Service remained committed to deploying modern tools, intelligence and innovative approaches to build a more efficient enforcement architecture capable of addressing emerging challenges while supporting legitimate commerce.
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