Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, stated that the organization’s evolution is primarily due to the systematic integration of technology throughout its administrative and operational structures. Speaking at a two-day retreat in Abuja involving the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise, Adeniyi emphasized that digital tools have streamlined internal processes ranging from staff management and pensions to core enforcement duties.
According to Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service has implemented sophisticated measures such as virtual shooting simulators, geospatial intelligence, and digital surveillance to bolster its security efforts. These tools allow for smarter positioning of checkpoints and better patrol route mapping. Furthermore, Adeniyi noted that the Nigeria Customs Service Act serves as the legal foundation for these modernization efforts, which include the Authorised Economic Operator Programme and the use of scanners for trade facilitation.
Senator Isah Jibrin, chairman of the Senate committee, commended the leadership for these improvements. He noted that the retreat provided lawmakers with direct evidence that allocated funds are being used effectively to enhance national revenue and streamline trade. The committee members concluded their visit with a tour of the Customs House in Maitama, where they examined the new infrastructure and institutional reforms currently shaping the agency.
