The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to transition fully to paperless operations by the second quarter of 2026, setting an ambitious 48-hour cargo clearance window as part of sweeping trade facilitation reforms.
The disclosure was made at the launch of the Service’s One-Stop-Shop (OSS) platform in Lagos, an integrated system designed to centralise customs processes and eliminate procedural bottlenecks that have long slowed cargo movement at Nigerian ports.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller-General Timi Bomodi, described the initiative as a major milestone in modernising customs administration.
According to him, the reform is geared towards ensuring faster clearance processes, improved risk management and efficient dispute resolution.
Under the OSS arrangement, previously fragmented procedures such as valuation, compliance checks, enforcement and gate control will now operate through a unified digital workflow.
Real-time monitoring, coordinated inspections and automated alerts are expected to significantly cut delays associated with manual documentation and repetitive examinations.
Customs authorities explained that much of the delay at ports stems from idle processing time rather than the physical inspection of goods.
By eliminating paperwork and overlapping checks, the Service aims to reduce cargo dwell time, lower transaction costs and enhance overall efficiency in port operations.
Plans for paperless operations also align with Nigeria’s broader National Single Window project, which seeks to integrate multiple regulatory agencies onto one electronic trade platform.
Integration is expected to improve transparency, strengthen revenue collection and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness within regional and global trade corridors.
Full implementation of the paperless system is projected before the end of June 2026, marking what officials describe as a transformative step toward a more efficient and technology-driven customs regime.
