In a press statement on Saturday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president, said Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general (CG) of the NCS, announced the upcoming project and changes to the payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders in a documentary.

“We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years,” he said.

Adeniyi noted that the newly launched authorised economic operator (AEO) programme is currently onboarding pre-vetted importers, enabling compliant businesses to enjoy faster processing and reduced congestion at the ports.

“It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally,” he said.

Adeniyi said the service has intensified anti-smuggling efforts, closed long-standing revenue leakages, and established new joint border patrol task forces in collaboration with the Nigerian army, Department of State Security (DSS), and police, which have delivered positive results.

He said over N64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, while major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.

“We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged,” he said.

To facilitate trade and lower business costs, Adeniyi said the NCS is accelerating the roll-out of the national single window, which will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.

“Right now, you deal with up to 15 agencies manually. With the Single Window, you’ll do it all online, in one place. This will slash clearance time and costs,” the comptroller-general explained.

Adeniyi further said clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can ports have already reduced from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant importers.

The CG said the agency has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processes in support of the government’s drive for non-oil exports.

“We’re promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38%. We’re targeting even more in 2025,” he said.

“Customs is no longer just about physical inspection. We are becoming an intelligence-led organisation, and our officers are being retrained to match global standards.

“The President gave us a clear directive: block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without burdening Nigerians. That is what we are doing. And the results are beginning to speak for themselves.”

The comptroller-general added that the customs service is also undergoing internal transformation, with over 1,800 officers trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence (AI).