The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to building a technology-driven Customs administration as it presented its digital transformation progress at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Smart Customs Project Global Event 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.
The two-day event, held from October 29 to 30, 2026 at the WCO Headquarters, brought together Customs administrations, technology experts, and international stakeholders to examine the application of disruptive technologies in strengthening Customs operations, improving border management, and facilitating legitimate international trade.
Representing Nigeria, Assistant Comptroller Omolara Adedeji delivered a presentation titled “Nigeria Customs Service: The Journey Towards Smart Customs,” highlighting the Service’s transition from traditional manual processes to integrated digital operations under its Modernisation Project.
AC Adedeji identified the development and deployment of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), as a major component of the transformation, noting its role in promoting automation, electronic processing, data-driven decision-making, and stronger collaboration with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private-sector stakeholders.
She noted that Nigeria’s Smart Customs vision rests on two major components — smart technology and smart data. While smart technology encompasses automation, integrated systems, digital platforms and modern information and communications technology infrastructure, smart data focuses on intelligence-led interventions, data-driven risk management, analytics and improved information sharing.
Adedeji explained that the Service was moving beyond basic process automation towards intelligent Customs operations, with priority areas including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, predictive analytics, non-intrusive inspection, integrated border management, interoperability and real-time operational intelligence.
The Assistant Comptroller also highlighted the application of geospatial technology in fleet management, asset management, and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), demonstrating its contribution to operational monitoring, resource management and cargo visibility.
She emphasised that developing the human capacity required to sustain the digital transformation remained a strategic priority, particularly through upskilling personnel and equipping the workforce with the technical competence needed to drive innovation.
She further disclosed that the Service was investing in technology and personnel to strengthen its ability to anticipate risks, support real-time operational intelligence, and facilitate seamless trade.
A major highlight of the event was the formal launch and presentation of the updated WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies, which examined the report’s development, key finding, and relevance to WCO Members.
The session featured presentations from Customs administrations that contributed case studies to the updated report, including Nigeria, represented by Adedeji, alongside officials from the General Administration of Customs of China and the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by the WCO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Ricardo Treviño Chapa, while Ms. Xueyan Guo, Director General of the International Cooperation Department of China’s General Administration of Customs, and Mr. Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee, delivered keynote addresses.
The programme also featured presentations on the Smart Customs Project’s deliverables under its Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and Blockchain packages, including technical reports, readiness self-assessment tools and practical case studies.
Another session examined AI governance and deployment readiness in Customs, with experts and representatives from Cambodia, Mexico, Türkiye, and Vietnam discussing institutional preparedness, governance, frameworks, and the responsible deployment of emerging technologies.
