The Nigeria Customs Service steps up plans to automate the processing of licenses and permits as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening trade facilitation and improving Nigeria’s ease of doing business environment.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the Service convenes importers, exporters, clearing agents, and industry stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to prepare them for the rollout of a new digital platform designed to streamline documentation and reduce processing delays.
The stakeholders’ engagement, organised by Zone C of the Customs Service, forms part of ongoing institutional reforms targeted at enhancing transparency, boosting efficiency, and supporting economic growth through technology-driven solutions.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the automation initiative focuses specifically on the digitisation of licenses and permits processing, a critical component of cargo clearance and international trade operations in Nigeria’s ports.
Customs officials explain that the reform aligns with the Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing business, aimed at reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the Comptroller in charge of the License and Permit Unit, alongside the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade—represented at the event by the Comptroller of Port Harcourt Area 1 Command—emphasises that the digital platform will simplify procedures and enhance compliance monitoring.
During the session, Customs authorities outline how the automated system will function, from electronic submission of applications to real-time verification and approval processes. The digital interface is expected to replace manual paperwork and minimise human intervention, thereby reducing errors and opportunities for delays.
An Assistant Superintendent of Customs from the ICT Department takes participants through a step-by-step demonstration of the automation framework, highlighting system security features, data protection measures, and integration with existing customs processes.
Stakeholders present at the forum welcome the initiative and offer suggestions aimed at strengthening system efficiency. Representatives of trade associations stress the need for user-friendly interfaces, continuous technical support, and periodic training to ensure seamless adoption.
The Secretary of the Rivers/Bayelsa Shippers Association of Nigeria notes that faster license and permit processing will significantly reduce cargo dwell time at the ports, improve turnaround for importers and exporters, and ultimately lower the cost of doing business.
Industry experts observe that digitisation of customs operations is increasingly becoming a global standard, enabling governments to enhance revenue collection while maintaining compliance with international trade protocols.
The Nigeria Customs Service, as one of the country’s major revenue-generating agencies, is expected to benefit from improved data management, enhanced risk assessment capabilities, and greater operational transparency once the system is fully implemented.
Economic analysts suggest that automation of licenses and permits could boost investor confidence, encourage cross-border trade, and position Nigeria more favourably within the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
As the reform progresses, Customs authorities reiterate their commitment to stakeholder engagement, noting that collaboration with the private sector remains vital to achieving a seamless transition to a fully digital trade processing environment.
The automation drive signals a decisive step toward modernising Nigeria’s customs operations, with expectations that the reform will accelerate trade facilitation, increase government revenue, and strengthen overall economic development.
