Abdulwahab Isa 
Newly appointed Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi is set to rejig and overhaul operations of the Service for enhanced delivery of efficiency.
For a starter, the Service has established a GEOINT unit, to leverage geospatial data, mapping techniques, and satellite imagery to gain valuable insights for customs operations.
To smooth its operation, the Service is working on the establishment of a customs Laboratory for trade facilitation across Nigeria.
The updates were confirmed in a statement issued over the weekend by National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Chief Supritend Abdullahi Maiwada.
The planned overhaul of customs operations underpins its proactive approach toward embracing cutting-edge technologies.
The Customs’ statement read in part: ” The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is about to witness remarkable transformations as the newly appointed Acting Comptroller-General (CG), Adewale Adeniyi takes charge, spearheading innovative projects aimed at unlocking the full potential of the service.
“With a strong focus on collaboration, engagement with international organizations, the pursuit of cutting-edge technologies, and consolidating on previous gains, the NCS is poised to redefine customs practices for the better”.
The Acting CG who was attending the World Customs Organization ( WCO) forum as of time his appointment was announced engaged in strategic discussions with partners such as the WCO, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan Customs Administration while at WVO.
The discussion customs’ statement noted, aimed to garner support for the establishment of a customs Laboratory, a significant milestone in enhancing customs operations and trade facilitation across Nigeria.
The planned NCS Laboratory, according to customs will provide comprehensive solutions to address challenges such as counterfeit goods, smuggling, and non-compliant imports, thereby bolstering revenue generation and ensuring the protection of public health and safety.
” 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, marking a transformative step towards achieving seamless customs operations, trade competitiveness, and national economic growth in line with the vision of the President Tinubu led administration”,
Acting CG Adewale Adeniyi was announced on Monday, 19 July 2023, while he was attending the Policy Commission and Council meetings of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium.
