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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for stronger partnership with key stakeholders across the revenue value chain, including collecting banks, external auditors and the National Assembly (NASS), as it deepens the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in revenue generation, remittance and reconciliation processes.
The call was made yesterday in Abuja by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the opening ceremony of a training on AI-driven revenue generation, remittance and reconciliation, organised for stakeholders within the Customs operational and oversight ecosystem.
Adeniyi clarified that revenue administration is not a standalone function but a complex system involving multiple actors, including banks, auditors, policy committees and legislative oversight institutions. He noted that effective coordination among these institutions remains essential to achieving transparency, accountability and efficiency in public finance management.
He further observed that the evolution of public sector oversight has shifted traditional practices, where legislative committees mainly issue summons for financial explanations, toward a more collaborative approach in which institutions like Customs now engage proactively with oversight bodies to strengthen compliance and transparency.
According to him, this shift reflects a shared commitment to discipline in public financial management. The Customs boss stressed that over the years, technology has become central to operations, particularly through risk management systems that support trade monitoring, fraud detection and analysis of trade patterns.
He added that these systems have enabled the Service to better understand international trade flows and strengthen operational decision-making across multiple sectors of the economy. Adeniyi noted that the introduction and global expansion of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and advanced data systems have further strengthened Customs operations, especially in areas such as scanning, risk profiling and trade facilitation.
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He explained that AI is not being introduced in isolation but is being integrated into already existing technological systems to enhance efficiency and accuracy. He also emphasised that the revenue generation and reconciliation process involves a long and interconnected value chain, from Customs operations to banks, platform owners, auditors and National Assembly committees. According to him, strengthening each link in the chain is critical to ensuring leak-proof revenue collection and improved financial accountability.
He added that the training was designed to equip stakeholders with practical understanding of how AI can be applied across the entire revenue ecosystem to improve coordination, transparency and performance. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Customs Service to sustained collaboration with all relevant institutions in order to deepen reforms and enhance national revenue outcomes.
Earlier in her welcome address, Kikelomo Adeola, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, said the Nigeria Customs was strengthening its commitment to transparency, efficiency and accountability in public financial management.
She noted that in today’s increasingly complex financial environment, there is a growing need for stronger systems that support accurate revenue processes and improve institutional coordination.
According to her, the training programme was designed to equip officers and stakeholders with the knowledge and strategic insight required to harness data analysis and improve collaboration across the revenue value chain.
Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, in his goodwill remarks at the event, said the committee’s engagement with the Nigeria Customs reflects its constitutional mandate to ensure accountability and compliance with financial regulations. He explained that over the years, the committee has consistently examined audit queries, particularly from the Office of the Auditor-General, with a focus on strengthening institutional discipline rather than punitive action.
Salam commended the Nigeria Customs for what he described as noticeable reforms and openness to innovation over the past few years, particularly in its approach to modernising operations. He expressed optimism that the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in revenue generation, remittance and reconciliation processes would further strengthen transparency and accountability, stressing that continuous oversight remains essential as government institutions adopt new technologies.
