By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service has taken a decisive step toward transforming Nigeria’s port operations with the launch of a digital One-Stop-Shop (OSS) platform designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and drastically reduce cargo clearance time to just 48 hours, in what authorities describe as a landmark reform to modernise trade facilitation and enhance national competitiveness.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held in Lagos on Friday, February 13, 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the initiative as a major structural reform that will fundamentally reshape the way cargo is processed at Nigeria’s ports, replacing cumbersome manual procedures with a coordinated, technology-driven system.
He explained that the digital platform represents a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening border governance, promoting efficiency, and aligning Nigeria’s trade processes with global best practices, particularly under the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, which estimates that efficient border reforms can reduce trade costs in developing countries by more than 14 percent.
Adeniyi noted that the new system is also closely aligned with the broader economic reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which prioritises ease of doing business, trade efficiency, and economic growth.
“This platform is a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated governance, from discretion to data, and from isolated actions to collective responsibility,” Adeniyi said. “Through this reform, we continue to build systems that support lawful trade, protect national interests, and serve the economy with professionalism and integrity.”
The Customs boss further disclosed that the Service is steadily advancing toward a fully paperless customs environment, revealing that the first phase of digital clearance and documentation processes is scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of 2026. According to him, this transition will not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen transparency, accountability, and predictability in cargo handling.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, highlighted the significance of the platform, explaining that it will integrate all risk assessment and intervention processes into a single electronic interface, thereby eliminating the need for multiple physical checkpoints and repetitive documentation.
“Today, the NCS is introducing the One-Stop-Shop digital platform, an innovative system designed to consolidate all risk interventions at the port into a single electronic interface,” she said. “We have listened to your feedback and recognised how multiple checkpoints and risk interventions affect business processes. Your involvement in this engagement is crucial to the success of this reform.”
A technical presentation delivered by the Service’s Trade Facilitation Unit provided further insight into the operational framework of the platform, outlining strategies to reduce cargo clearance time from the current average of 21 days to approximately 48 hours. The presentation also detailed implementation plans, system features, and anticipated operational challenges, as well as measures put in place to ensure a smooth transition.
Stakeholders at the event, including port operators, freight forwarders, and trade partners, expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that the digital platform would significantly improve efficiency, reduce delays, and facilitate legitimate trade.
An interactive session held during the engagement allowed participants to seek clarification on operational procedures and compliance requirements, while Customs officials reiterated their commitment to working closely with stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.
The launch of the digital One-Stop-Shop platform marks a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service, signalling a clear shift toward a more efficient, transparent, and technology-driven customs administration capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic aspirations and positioning the country as a competitive hub for regional and international trade.
