The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have used the occasion of the 9th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference to educate and sensitize Nigerian maritime students and youths on their various technological innovations, automated systems and digitalized platforms aimed at improving their service deliveries.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 9th AMSAY Conference organised by Platforms Communication in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale while making a presentation on a topic entitled, “NCS and it’s Trade Modernization Programs: Benefits and Challenges”, revealed that the Customs modernisation project concessioned to a private company comprises of a set of technological innovation to improve trade facilitation, enhance cargo clearance process, institutionalise electronic cargo tracking and ensure proper risk control.
The CGC who was represented by an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abass Oladepo also hinted that the B’Odogwu, a home-made customs innovation helped the Customs Service to achieve N1.3 trillion revenue generation in first quarter of 2025, an amount which is N600 billion more than the revenue generated in the corresponding period of 2024.
Speaking further, the Customs boss stated that as part of Customs modernisation and digitalisation project, the service has acquired 67 more scanners to be installed at the seaports and land borders, noting that the Customs CG was in China recently to perfect the process of acquisition of the scanners.
Representative of CGC, Abass Oladepo and other customs officers at the 9th AMSAY Conference held in Lagos on Tuesday
According to him, “B’Odogwu launched on 23 October 2024 at the PTML port has brought about efficiency, transparency and enforcement. It has reduced clearance timeline from 21 days to seven or 10 days for compliant importers and ensuring fast track for agro-exports. At the PTML Port, cars on RoRo can be cleared within one hour, while containerised cargos can be cleared within six hours. This is a great improvement from what we used to have under the NCIS.”
He also noted that trade facilitation through automation is emerging as an important factor for international trade and economic development of countries.
“Digitalisation in Nigeria Customs is not just a modernisation initiative, but also marks a paradigm shift in governance, risk control, trade facilitation and economic transformation,” he said.
Speaking about challenges faced by the Nigeria Customs Service in its digitalisation efforts, he listed training and upskilling of officers, integrating multiple agencies and ensuring sustainability of the digitalisation projects; even as he equally decried failure of terminal operators to acquire scanners in line with their terms of contract, saying that the behaviour suggests that terminal operators are not in tandem with Customs digitalisation plans.
On his part while delivering a Special Address tagged, “The Future of Freight Forwarding Profession in the Proposed National Single Window Initiative”, the Registrar of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr Kingsely Igwe observed that the freight forwarding profession plays a critical role in facilitating international trade, adding that the National Single Window initiative could significantly impact on their operations.
Alhaji Yahaya Saidu, Acting Head of Research, Planning and Development, CRFFN making a presentation at the AMSAY Conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
“In international trade, delays can result in significant financial losses. One of the most notable benefits of a National Single Window is its ability to speed up processes and clearance time for goods.
“Implementing a National Single Window translates to significant cost savings for businesses, both directly and indirectly. Examples are administrative, logistics, and reduced errors. These cost savings add up over time, enhancing profitability and enabling businesses to allocate resources more efficiently.
“Streamlined processes can enable freight forwarders to compete more effectively in the global market. NSW initiative can lead to job creation and simplification of trade documentation, enhancing import and export processes”, he added.
Talking about the challenges and opportunities presented by the National Single Window, the Registrar who was represented at the occasion by the Acting Head of Research, Planning and Development, Alhaji Yahaya Saidu noted that gradual roll out of the system was necessary to ensure its infrastructure could meet expected demand without disruptions.
He thereafter, warned that the National Single Window initiative may increase cyber security risks if not properly secured even as he called on the managers of the platform to ensure that all security features were put in place to forestall cyber attacks.
Igwe, who acknowledged that the National Single Window initiative could enable freight forwarders to innovate and provide new services, maintained that the platform may as well change the role of freight forwarders, requiring them to adapt to new technologies and processes.
A section of cadets and maritime students seated at the occasion
“Freight forwarders may need to specialize in specific areas, such as customs clearance or logistics management, to remain competitive. Freight forwarders need to invest in technology to remain competitive and provide efficient services. Freight forwarders need to work closely with other stakeholders, such as customs authorities and traders, to ensure smooth operations.”
Concluding, the CRFFN boss stressed that “In today’s fast-paced global economy, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, especially when it comes to trade and commerce.
“One solution that has emerged as a game-changer is the National Single Window initiative. The National Single Window initiative has the potential to transform the freight forwarding profession, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness.
“However, it requires careful implementation, specialization, and adaptation to new technologies. With the right approach, freight forwarders can leverage the National Single Window initiative to improve their services and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Bola Oyebamiji also hinted that there are lots of boat mishaps across the country recently, regretting that it has become a frequent occurrence within the waterways.
Engr Elsie Egwuatu, Head of Marine, Lagos Area Office of NIWA making a presentation at the 9th AMSAY Conference held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Speaking while addressing the audience on a topic, titled, “Curbing Incessant Boat Mishaps on Nigerian Waterways Through Technological Innovations”, the MD who was represented by the Head of Marine, Lagos Area Office of NIWA, Engr Elsie Egwuatu noted that most of the boat mishaps across the country were caused by poor vessel integrity, insufficient time management by the operators, inadequate manpower training of the boat operators and late hour operations.
The MD further told the participants that over 400 boat mishaps have been recorded recently within the waterways across the country.
He however revealed that NIWA has deployed a multifaceted approach in tackling the menace through nationwide distribution of life jackets, mandatory training of boat operators, regular free maintenance inspection of boats as well as installation of technological gadgets to detect potential risks on waterways channels.
A section of dignitaries and participants seated at the 9th AMSAY Conference held by Platforms Communications in Lagos on Tuesday
The 9th AMSAY Conference, which has the theme, “Automation and Digitalisation of Maritime Operations”,7 was well attended by dignitaries and maritime students from various maritime schools across the Nigeria.
