Nigeria Customs Moves to Strengthen Cargo Surveillance with Advanced Scanners
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL) have completed factory acceptance tests on newly acquired advanced cargo scanners and an Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) in China ahead of their deployment in Nigeria.
The two-week exercise, conducted from October 9 to 20, 2026, at the facility of Nuctech Company Limited, the equipment manufacturer, was designed to verify the systems’ technical specifications, performance and compliance with international operational standards before shipment to Nigeria.
The exercise was led by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Information Communication and Technology/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, alongside technical experts from the NCS and TMPL.
The Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) scanners and ECTS are designed to complement each other by improving cargo examination and enabling real-time tracking of consignments from ports to their final destinations.
Speaking during the exercise, Adebakin reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to leveraging technology to facilitate legitimate trade, optimise revenue collection and strengthen national security.
She described the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) as a critical quality-assurance process for confirming that the equipment meets contractual requirements and global operational standards before delivery.
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“The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi, is committed to ensuring that we deploy only cutting-edge, fit-for-purpose technology that will fast-track cargo examination, reduce dwell time, and enhance our ability to detect concealments and prohibited items, improve revenue generation, as well as facilitate legitimate trade,” she said.
Also speaking, the Acting Comptroller of Non-Intrusive Inspection, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Umar Madugu, said the deployment of the new scanners and tracking system would significantly reduce reliance on 100 per cent physical examination of cargo, minimise human contact and curb cargo diversion.
Madugu added that the technologies would improve operational efficiency across Customs formations while strengthening the Service’s capacity to detect concealed and prohibited goods.
On behalf of TMPL, the company’s General Manager, Bamidele Chinedu, described the factory acceptance exercise as a significant milestone in the implementation of the Trade Modernisation Project.
He stressed that integrating non-intrusive inspection scanners with electronic cargo tracking was central to building a transparent, efficient and technology-driven Customs administration.
The Project Manager of Nuctech Company Limited, China, Niu Chao, reiterated the company’s commitment to supplying world-class equipment and providing technical support, capacity building and after-sales services to sustain the systems’ operations.
Beyond testing the equipment, the exercise also featured technical training for personnel from the NCS and TMPL on the operation, handling and maintenance of the scanners and ECTS.
The training is expected to strengthen local technical capacity, support a smooth deployment process and ensure the long-term sustainability of the systems once they become operational in Nigeria.
The initiative forms part of efforts to modernise Customs operations through technology, with anticipated benefits including faster cargo clearance, reduced port dwell time, improved revenue assurance, enhanced cargo monitoring and stronger border security.
By PRNigeria
