Uchenna Cecil Izuora
Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi reaffirmed Nigeria Customs Service’s push for a fully paperless port system during a meeting with Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Director-General Princess Zahrah Audu in Abuja.
The two of them agreed to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles through technology integration, aiming to position Nigeria as a global trade powerhouse.
Adeniyi highlighted regular stakeholder consultations with groups like the American Business Council to pinpoint port bottlenecks via direct business feedback. He detailed a World Customs Organisation-backed Time Release Study at Tin Can Island Port, launched 26 January 2026, involving shipping firms, terminal operators, Nigerian Ports Authority, agents, and banks. Findings revealed systemic delays beyond inspections, guiding ongoing reforms.
On 24-hour operations, he noted past challenges from incomplete logistics chain buy-in, banks, shipping lines, and terminals must align. Core processes like pre-arrival docs, declarations, payments, and releases are digitized, with remaining delays tied to physical paperwork users.
Adeniyi outlined scanner and ICT investments for risk-based exams, backed by World Bank, IMF, and WTO. Audu shared PEBEC’s 90-day enhancement plan from its November 2025 report, including a three-day Lagos port assessment identifying joint boarding, inspection coordination, and tech gaps.
Deputy Comptroller-General (ICT/Modernisation) Oluyomi Adebakin advocated vessel schedule-driven staffing over blanket 24/7 presence. DCG (Tariff/Trade) praised AEO, Advance Rulings, and One-Stop-Shop for trusted trader efficiency. Both sides committed to sustained collaboration via PEBEC’s platform to boost port speed and business climate.