RismadarVoice Reporters, August 9, 2026
The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has commended ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), saying the agency’s adoption of technology and modern operational systems is improving its efficiency and strengthening its capacity to facilitate trade and generate revenue.
The committee gave the commendation on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a two-day retreat with the NCS focused on legislative oversight and a review of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
As part of the programme, members of the committee visited the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja, where they inspected some of the Service’s modernisation projects and received briefings on its technology-based operations and institutional reforms.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Isah Jibrin, said the visit enabled lawmakers to assess the reforms firsthand rather than relying solely on reports presented to the National Assembly.
According to him, the transformation within the Customs Service was particularly noticeable in its use of technology, infrastructure and new operational methods.
He said the tour had also given lawmakers a clearer understanding of how funds appropriated to the agency were being utilised, particularly when the NCS seeks approval for capital projects.
Senator Jibrin said the committee was encouraged by what it saw and believed the investments were contributing to improved Customs operations, trade facilitation and revenue mobilisation.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, attributed the changes within the Service to the deliberate expansion of digital systems across its administrative and operational activities.
Mr Adeniyi said the digital transformation began with areas such as personnel administration, staff postings and pension management before being extended to core Customs functions.
He said the Service intends to increase the use of technology across its operations to reduce delays and improve efficiency.
The Comptroller-General also disclosed that technology was being deployed in enforcement activities, including the use of virtual shooting simulators, geospatial intelligence and digital surveillance.
According to him, geospatial technology is being used to analyse patrol routes and determine more effective locations for checkpoints, while modern training facilities are being introduced to improve the capabilities of Customs personnel.
Mr Adeniyi said several of the Service’s modernisation initiatives were supported by provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
He listed the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, Advance Ruling, Time Release Study and the deployment of scanners among measures designed to modernise Customs administration.
He said the Service would continue implementing the reforms as part of efforts to align its operations with the Federal Government’s broader reform programme.
