The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has showcased its digital transformation efforts and progress towards establishing a technology-driven administration at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Smart Customs Project Global Event in Brussels, Belgium.
The two-day event, held from October 29 to 30 at the WCO Headquarters, brought together Customs administrations, technology experts and international stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies could improve Customs operations, strengthen border management and facilitate legitimate international trade.
The NCS was represented by Assistant Comptroller Omolara Adedeji, who presented Nigeria’s experience and achievements in its transition from traditional manual operations to integrated digital Customs processes.
In her presentation titled, “Nigeria Customs Service: The Journey Towards Smart Customs,” Adedeji highlighted the Service’s Modernisation Project, particularly the development and deployment of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS).
She explained that the platform was designed to promote automation, electronic processing, data-driven decision-making and improved collaboration with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private-sector stakeholders.
According to her, the Service is pursuing a deliberate transition towards a more efficient and responsive Customs administration through investments in digital infrastructure, automation and data management.
She identified smart technology and smart data as the two major pillars of Nigeria’s Smart Customs vision.
While smart technology focuses on automation, integrated systems, digital platforms and modern information and communication technology infrastructure, smart data emphasises intelligence-led interventions, data-driven risk management, analytics and improved information sharing.
Adedeji also highlighted the importance of human capacity development, noting that the Service was investing in personnel training and technical skills to sustain its digital transformation and drive innovation.
She further identified the application of geospatial technology in fleet management, asset management and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) as evidence of the expanding use of technology beyond Customs declarations.
The Assistant Comptroller said 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.
She said the adoption of these technologies, alongside investments in human capital, would enable the Service to anticipate risks, strengthen operational intelligence and facilitate seamless trade.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by WCO Deputy Secretary General, Ricardo Treviño Chapa, while the Director General of the International Cooperation Department of China’s General Administration of Customs, Xueyan Guo, and Chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee, Eduard Hakobyan, delivered keynote addresses.
A major highlight of the first day’s programme was the launch and presentation of the updated WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies, which examined the evolution, key findings and relevance of emerging technologies to member administrations.
The session featured presentations by Customs administrations that contributed case studies to the report, including Nigeria, China and the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
The event also featured presentations on the Smart Customs Project’s deliverables under its Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and Blockchain packages, covering 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 adoption of emerging technologies.
