Nigeria Customs, PEBEC Partner to Drive Paperless Port Operations

Nigeria Customs, PEBEC Partner to Drive Paperless Port Operations

Abuja, Nigeria – March 8, 2026 – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to a paperless port environment, promising to deepen digital reforms following a strategic meeting with the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Audu. The collaboration aims to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and position Nigeria as a competitive hub for global trade.

The meeting, held on Friday, 6 March 2026, at Customs House, Maitama, Abuja, brought together senior officials from both agencies to discuss the integration of technology into cargo clearance and trade facilitation.

Addressing the delegation, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi highlighted the Service’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiatives with trade associations, including the American Business Council, to address operational challenges at Nigeria’s ports.

“Such consultations allow the Service to identify bottlenecks and obtain direct feedback from businesses that interact with Customs at the nation’s ports,” Adeniyi said.

He also disclosed that the NCS, in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO), recently conducted a Time Release Study (TRS) at Tin Can Island Port. The study, involving shipping companies, terminal operators, the Nigerian Ports Authority, licensed Customs agents, and financial institutions, assessed the time and costs of conducting business at Nigerian ports. Its findings, published on 26 January 2026, are now guiding reforms across the Service.

CGC Adeniyi noted that while some concerns raised by stakeholders have been addressed, others will inform future improvements. Regarding 24-hour port operations, he emphasised the need for full collaboration across the logistics chain.

“We previously deployed officers for round-the-clock port operations, but the effort faced challenges because other critical operators such as banks, shipping companies, and terminal operators were not fully integrated,” he explained.

The CGC further highlighted ongoing digital initiatives, including pre-arrival documentation, cargo declaration, duty payment, and release communication, which have already been digitised. He added that remaining delays often arise from operators still relying on physical documentation.

“We intend to address these areas in the coming months,” Adeniyi said.

He also underlined investments in scanning technology and ICT infrastructure to strengthen risk-based cargo management, reduce reliance on physical inspections, and align operations with global best practices. Development partners such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organisation have supported these reforms.

Speaking earlier, PEBEC Director-General Zahrah Audu detailed the Council’s 90-day Business Environment Enhancement Programme, which targets operational bottlenecks identified in its November 2025 Business Facilitation Compliance Report.

“The initiative improves efficiency across business-facing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies by fostering collaboration to remove bottlenecks that affect the ease of doing business in Nigeria,” Audu said.

She also cited a three-day operational assessment at Lagos ports conducted in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority, which identified key areas for improvement, including coordinated cargo inspections, joint vessel boarding, and enhanced use of technology.

Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, emphasised smarter deployment of personnel based on vessel schedules rather than merely extending working hours.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade highlighted the effectiveness of trade facilitation tools such as the Authorised Economic Operator Program, Advance Ruling Systems, and One-Stop-Shop, which aim to expedite cargo clearance for trusted traders and support the Federal Government’s goal of efficient trade.

The partnership between the NCS and PEBEC underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernise port operations, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen the country’s global trade competitiveness.