By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has convened a crucial steering committee meeting aimed at consolidating the strides made in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Trade Modernization Project (TMP), focused on enhancing trade facilitation through technological innovations.
Held behind closed doors at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, February 15, 2024, the meeting brought together members of the TMP Steering Committee, underscoring the strategic importance attached to advancing digital solutions within the NCS.
CGC Adeniyi unveiled the overarching objectives of the Trade Modernization Project, emphasising its pivotal role in driving end-to-end automation of customs processes and procedures.
He delineated key components of the project, including the Unified Customs Management System, Trade Portal, Cargo Release System, and Automation Services such as Big Data & AI Integration and Document Management System.
“This project signifies a milestone in our journey towards digital transformation, heralding a new era of transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in customs operations,” remarked the CGC, highlighting the imperative of adapting to evolving market dynamics and unlocking revenue streams through digitization.
Addressing the TMP Steering Committee, CGC Adeniyi underscored the project’s long-term vision, spanning twenty years and encompassing three distinct phases aimed at enhancing core services, implementing automation solutions, and facilitating seamless transition and handback processes.
“We are poised to tackle prevailing challenges, make informed decisions, and chart a trajectory of progress for the service,” affirmed the CGC, expressing optimism regarding the committee’s capacity to navigate complexities and drive impactful outcomes.
Echoing the sentiment of unwavering support, Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman of the Trade Modernization Project Limited, reaffirmed his team’s commitment to bolstering the NCS’s revenue generation efforts.
Ahmadu stated the development of software solutions geared towards integrating revenue collection systems, thereby advancing the NCS’s ambitious revenue target of N6 trillion for 2024.
“As lifelong partners to the Nigeria Customs Service, we remain steadfast in our commitment to revolutionizing trade facilitation in Nigeria,” Ahmadu asserted, underscoring the proactive approach adopted by the steering committee in driving tangible progress.