By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigeria Customs Service and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) have strengthened collaboration aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of Nigeria’s port operations and improving trade efficiency across the country.
This followed a strategic meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu, held at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to establishing a fully paperless port environment as part of ongoing reforms designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and reposition Nigeria as a competitive hub for global trade.
He explained that the Customs Service has continued to engage regularly with stakeholders across the trade ecosystem, including the American Business Council and other trade associations, to address operational concerns and strengthen collaboration.
According to him, such consultations provide the Service with direct feedback from businesses interacting with Customs at the nation’s ports and help identify critical operational challenges affecting cargo clearance.
Adeniyi also disclosed that the Service, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization, recently conducted a Time Release Study (TRS) at Tin Can Island Port to scientifically assess the time and cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
The study involved shipping companies, terminal operators, the Nigerian Ports Authority, licensed customs agents and financial institutions. Its findings were compiled in a report publicly launched on January 26, 2026.
“We deliberately involved every segment of the port community so that the findings would reflect the real operational environment. The report has already provided valuable insights guiding ongoing reforms,” Adeniyi said.
On the issue of round-the-clock port operations, the Customs boss noted that the initiative would only succeed if all operators across the logistics chain were fully integrated into the system.
He revealed that a previous attempt by the Service to deploy officers for 24-hour port operations faced setbacks because key stakeholders such as banks, shipping companies and terminal operators were not fully aligned with the arrangement.
Adeniyi added that the Customs Service has already digitised several core processes, including pre-arrival documentation, cargo declaration, duty payments and release communication, but noted that delays still occur where some operators continue to rely on physical documentation.
He further highlighted ongoing investments in scanning technology and ICT infrastructure to strengthen risk-based cargo management and reduce reliance on physical cargo examination. Development partners such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization have also encouraged Nigeria to expand the use of non-intrusive inspection technology in line with global best practices.
Earlier, PEBEC Director-General Zahrah Audu said the council had launched a 90-day Business Environment Enhancement Programme aimed at addressing operational challenges identified in its Business Facilitation Compliance Report released in November 2025.
She explained that the initiative seeks to improve efficiency across business-facing Ministries, Departments and Agencies through stronger collaboration and the removal of operational bottlenecks affecting the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
As part of the programme, PEBEC conducted a three-day operational assessment at Lagos ports in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority. The exercise involved observing cargo handling processes from vessel arrival to cargo exit while engaging regulators and private sector operators.
Audu said the assessment helped identify key operational challenges and provided practical recommendations, including strengthening joint vessel boarding by regulatory agencies, improving coordination of cargo inspections and enhancing the use of technology in port operations.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, noted that vessel arrival schedules already provide adequate information for operational planning at the ports.
She said proper use of such data would enable more strategic deployment of Customs personnel instead of maintaining officers at terminals while waiting for vessels.
“The concept of 24-hour port operations should focus on smarter deployment of personnel based on vessel schedules rather than merely extending working hours,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade reiterated the effectiveness of trade facilitation tools introduced by the Service to accelerate cargo clearance for trusted traders.
She cited initiatives such as the Authorised Economic Programme, Advance Ruling Systems and the One-Stop-Shop platform as key reforms designed to support the Federal Government’s objective of improving trade efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s business environment.
