Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday unveiled a new digital platform designed to streamline duty verification, enhance transparency, and reduce fraud in import and export transactions.
The Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) will enable traders to verify duty payments remotely using mobile devices, reducing paperwork and physical interactions at ports.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, presided over the launch at the service headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
“Today marks an important milestone as we head into our ongoing drive to modernise the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service. We are hoping to build our progress on collaboration with the private sector, consolidation of our previous gains, and the delivery of innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.” He said.
He described the initiative as a major step towards transparency, efficiency, and digital transformation in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
Adeniyi said that the system was built to empower citizens, importers and dealers with verifiable data, while helping customs officers remove manual bottlenecks and also standardise operations across commands.
“This platform democratizes access to verified information, enabling the public to make informed purchase decisions. For our officers, it eliminates inconsistencies and provides real-time validated data that improves decision-making,” Adeniyi added.
Customs officials said the platform integrates with existing systems to curb fraudulent activities, promote accountability, and improve revenue generation.
The service noted that training for officers had already begun as part of preparations for nationwide deployment.
Stakeholders, including business leaders and freight forwarders, welcomed the initiative as a positive reform that would simplify trade processes and foster economic growth.
The CVMS launch forms part of the Federal Government’s broader digital reform agenda under President Bola Tinubu, aimed at modernising public institutions and improving ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Importers and exporters were urged to register on the new platform to ensure seamless verification of duty payments.
The Nigeria Customs Service has in recent years increased its efforts to automate its operations as part and modernise its strategy under the Trade Modernisation Project, a 20-year concession aimed at improving trade facilitation, boosting revenue generation and reducing corruption in customs processes.
