From Uche Usim, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is perfecting arrangements to establish a laboratory that will help address operational challenges such as detecting counterfeit goods, tackle smuggling, and non-compliant imports and ultimately swell revenue generation, enhance trade and safeguard public health.
Conversations around the initiative formed part of talking points of the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi while attending the Commission and Council meetings of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium, which ended at the weekend.
With its advanced analytical capabilities, the laboratory is expected to deliver precise identification, verification, and classification of goods, enabling efficient enforcement measures and informed decision-making, while fostering an environment of trust and credibility within Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and boosting global competitiveness.
Adeniyi advocated for the exploration of AI-driven solutions, including Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions like ChatGPT and advanced geo-spatial intelligence approaches such as GEOINT. These technologies, the acting CGC emphasized, present immense potential for enhancing communication, decision-making processes, and enforcement operations within Customs.
The NCS has already established a GEOINT unit, leveraging geospatial data, mapping techniques, and satellite imagery to gain valuable insights for Customs operations. Collaborative engagements are already underway to operationalise the use of GEOINT to enhance the efficiency of NCS enforcement operations and contribute to overall efficiency. These advancements underline the NCS’s proactive approach toward embracing cutting-edge technologies.
The Acting CG further engaged in strategic discussions with partners such as the WCO, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan Customs Administration. The discussions aim to garner support for the establishment of a Customs Laboratory, a significant milestone in enhancing customs operations and trade facilitation across Nigeria.
Adeniyi’s engagements extended to fruitful discussions with relevant experts and donors, focusing on crucial areas such as conducting a Time Release Study (TRS), implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, leadership, and management development. These discussions underscore his commitment to comprehensive improvements and his inclination to adopt innovative solutions across various customs domains, ultimately enhancing customs operations.
The outcome of the council meeting witnessed the election of Ian Saunders of the United States as the new Secretary General of the WCO, an important position that sets the direction for customs practices worldwide. This election highlights the significance of the council meeting and the influential role the NCS played in shaping the future of customs operations on a global scale.