Nigeria Customs Rolls Out Digital Cargo Reform

The Nigeria Customs Service has introduced a digital overtime cargo system, a move set to change how trade is managed across the country. The reform was officially launched in Kano State and is expected to eliminate decades of paperwork and delays. For the first time, traders can now clear abandoned or overtime goods through an online portal without physical bottlenecks.

Faster Trade, Less Congestion

According to Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashiru Adewale, represented at the event by Comptroller Deborah Adeniyi, the platform will make the process transparent and time-stamped. “This reform accelerates cargo movement and enforces strict timelines for abandoned consignments,” he explained.

The automation is supported by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which gives the Service the legal framework to enforce digital reforms. With the system, consignees can process applications online, while terminal operators gain more space to manage incoming shipments.

Stakeholders from northern states including Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kwara were urged to adopt the platform quickly and train their teams for smooth operations.

Boosting Investor Confidence

Officials and trade experts at the sensitisation programme described the new cargo clearance system as a step toward boosting investor trust. They believe that digitisation will make Nigeria more competitive in regional and global trade.

Dalhatu Abubakar, Area Controller for Kano/Jigawa, encouraged associations and brokers to spread awareness. He stressed that traders who embrace the platform early will benefit from smoother service delivery.

Chief Superintendent of Customs, Aliyu Abdulkadir, added that the platform makes it easier for cargo owners to take charge of their clearance process.

With this rollout, Nigeria joins countries already digitising customs operations, from Kenya to Singapore. In today’s fast-paced trade environment, transparency and speed are no longer optional—they are the new standard.