The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has showcased its digital transformation initiatives, including the deployment of its Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), known as B’Odogwu, at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Smart Customs Project Global Event in Brussels, Belgium.
The two-day event, held from October 29 to 30 at the WCO Headquarters, provided a platform for Customs administrations, technology experts and international stakeholders to examine how emerging technologies can improve border management, strengthen Customs operations and facilitate legitimate international trade.
The NCS was represented by Assistant Comptroller Omolara Adedeji, who presented Nigeria’s experience and progress in transitioning towards a technology-driven Customs administration.
In her presentation titled “Nigeria Customs Service: The Journey Towards Smart Customs,” Adedeji outlined the Service’s transition from traditional manual processes to integrated digital operations under its ongoing Modernisation Project.
She identified the development and deployment of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System, as a major component of the transformation, noting that the platform supports automation, electronic processing, data-driven decision-making and improved collaboration with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private-sector stakeholders.
According to her, the Service is pursuing a deliberate transition towards an integrated digital Customs system to improve operational efficiency and responsiveness.
She explained that Nigeria’s Smart Customs vision rests on two major pillars: smart technology and smart data.
While smart technology involves automation, integrated systems, digital platforms and modern information and communication technology infrastructure, smart data focuses on intelligence-led interventions, data-driven risk management, analytics and improved information sharing.
Adedeji also highlighted the importance of developing human capacity to sustain the transformation, stressing that personnel must acquire the technical skills required to drive innovation and maximise the benefits of emerging technologies.
Another area of focus was the application of geospatial technology in Customs operations, particularly in fleet management, asset management and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).
She explained that the deployment of these technologies extends beyond Customs declarations to improve operational monitoring, resource management and cargo visibility.
The NCS representative further disclosed that the Service was expanding its modernisation efforts beyond basic process automation towards intelligent Customs operations.
She identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), predictive analytics, non-intrusive inspection, integrated border management, interoperability and real-time operational intelligence as priority areas in the Service’s digital transformation agenda.
“By prioritising these technologies and investing in the people who will drive their application, we are working towards a system that anticipates risks, supports real-time operational intelligence and facilitates seamless trade,” she said.
The event also featured the formal launch and presentation of the updated WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies, examining its evolution, key findings and implications for member administrations.
Nigeria was among the Customs administrations invited to share case studies and experiences that contributed to the updated report, alongside representatives of the General Administration of Customs of China and the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by WCO Deputy Secretary General, Ricardo Treviño Chapa, while keynote addresses were delivered by Xueyan Guo, Director General of the International Cooperation Department of China’s General Administration of Customs, and Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee.
Other sessions examined deliverables under the Smart Customs Project’s Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and Blockchain packages, including technical reports, readiness self-assessment tools and practical case studies.
Participants also discussed AI governance and deployment readiness in Customs administrations, with representatives from Cambodia, Mexico, Türkiye and Vietnam sharing perspectives on institutional preparedness, governance frameworks and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies.
Nigeria’s participation underscored the NCS’s ongoing efforts to align its operations with global digital Customs standards through technology adoption, workforce development and data-driven border management.
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