Customs Sets for Digital Cargo Clearance, Installs New Scanner at Apapa Port
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has completed the installation and final test run of its newly acquired scanning systems at APM Terminals, Apapa Port, marking a major step toward achieving a fully paperless cargo clearance process.
The simulation exercise, which took place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, was led by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba. The event marked the concluding phase before the scanners are officially deployed for full operation — a milestone that underscores the Service’s commitment to trade facilitation and digital transformation.
Speaking after the test run, Comptroller Oshoba disclosed that the new scanning technology is designed to synchronise scanned images with electronic declarations in real time, a development that will drastically reduce cargo clearance time and eliminate physical paperwork.
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“We are now at the stage of 100 percent readiness,” he said. “Once containers are scanned, the system automatically matches the images with the declarations. There will be no need for physical documentation, and the analysis will be instant. Only consignments with discrepancies will require further checks.”
According to Oshoba, each scanner is capable of processing up to 200 containers per hour, with the scanned images transmitted directly to Customs Headquarters in Abuja for real-time monitoring and audit. He explained that this feature would not only enhance transparency and compliance but also minimize opportunities for manipulation in the clearance process.
Officials of the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), including the Scanner Manager, Deputy Controller Umar Madugu, and the Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Bamidele Jinedu, who participated in the exercise, acknowledged that initial resistance might arise from stakeholders accustomed to manual documentation.
They, however, stressed that the digital clearance system would ensure greater accuracy in declarations, strengthen national security, and eliminate avoidable delays often blamed on Customs operations.
With the scanners now fully installed and tested, the Command is expected to announce the official commissioning date after submitting its final implementation report to the NCS management.
By PRNigeria
