By Nkechi Eze
In a renewed push to deepen the digital transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged officers in the ICT/Modernisation Department to take the lead in developing homegrown solutions to the Service’s operational challenges.
He gave the charge while declaring open a three-day retreat themed “Turn off Work; Turn on Retreat”, held at IBETO Hotels, Abuja, on Friday, 16 April 2025. The retreat is aimed at equipping personnel with advanced competencies in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, software development, and other technology-driven tools central to the Service’s modernisation agenda.
Describing the gathering as “the largest convergence of skilled ICT officers in the history of the Service,” CGC Adeniyi commended the department’s growing capacity and innovation drive. He recalled a time when he encouraged officers to reimagine their roles not just as technicians but as architects of change within the organisation.
“We’ve reached a point where ICT has moved from a support function to the strategic core of our modernisation. Your role is pivotal to the future we are building,” the CGC stated.
He noted that digital transformation has become essential in customs operations worldwide, citing technologies such as machine learning, non-intrusive inspection, and automated risk profiling as catalysts for efficiency. CGC Adeniyi urged the department to take ownership of the NCS’s transition from legacy systems to modern digital platforms.
“In the past year alone, this department has helped us overcome major hurdles, from launching the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme to automating container transfers and digital declarations. ICT is now the engine room of our success,” he declared.
The CGC also pointed to the increasing global visibility of NCS officers, especially within the World Customs Organization (WCO), where Nigerian officers are contributing to major advancements in geospatial intelligence, data harmonisation, and digital trade compliance.
“This department is not just a cog in the wheel, it is the wheel. Let technology lead the way as we build a smarter, faster, and more professional Customs Service,” he affirmed.
Looking ahead, CGC Adeniyi challenged the Service to reduce physical examinations at ports by at least 50% before the end of the third quarter of 2025. He called for the strategic deployment of intelligence-based digital tools to enhance efficiency and security.
“Our goal is that by Q3, more than half of the containers exiting our ports are selected based on intelligence, using available technologies,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to delivering on the CGC’s vision.
“We understand the task ahead, and though it is demanding, we are inspired and equipped to meet the challenge. We are fully aligned with the CGC’s goals and will push the boundaries of innovation to achieve them,” she assured.
Adeola emphasized that the department is not only ready to meet expectations but to exceed them through a culture of innovation, integrity, and institutional excellence.
“Excellence comes with more responsibility and we are prepared. This retreat is not just a pause from work; it’s a moment of recalibration. Together, we will elevate the digital transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service,” she concluded.
