The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully completed the final test run of its newly installed scanning systems at APM Terminals, Apapa, a key milestone in its drive toward fully paperless cargo clearance.
The simulation exercise, led by Customs Area Controller Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba on Thursday, November 6, 2025, marks the last phase before the scanners are rolled out for full operational use, highlighting the agency’s commitment to digital transformation and trade facilitation.
Comptroller Oshoba explained that the new technology synchronises scanned container images with electronic declarations in real time, eliminating physical paperwork and significantly speeding up cargo clearance. “We are now at the stage of 100 percent readiness. Once containers are scanned, the system automatically matches the images with the declarations,” he said. “Only consignments with discrepancies will require further checks.”
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Each scanner can process up to 200 containers per hour, with scanned images transmitted directly to Customs headquarters in Abuja for monitoring and audit. The system is expected to enhance transparency, improve compliance, and reduce opportunities for clearance manipulation.
Officials from the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), including Scanner Manager Deputy Controller Umar Madugu and Stakeholder Engagement Lead Bamidele Jinedu, acknowledged that operators accustomed to manual procedures may initially resist the change. However, they stressed that transitioning to a fully digital clearance system will ensure accurate declarations, promote national security, and minimise delays attributed to Customs.
The NCS is expected to announce the official commissioning date for the scanners after completing final reporting to management.
