The Nigeria Customs Service on Sunday unveiled a One-Stop-Shop initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance times from an average of 21 days to 48 hours.
The service, which confirmed the development through a statement posted on its X handle on Sunday, said OSS was unveiled during a meeting with NCS Management and Customs Area Controllers in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the statement, the reform was presented by Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi as a “transformative shift” that aligned with global best practice and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
The service explained that the reform is designed to sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure predictability in Customs procedures.
“The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency, and make our operations more business-friendly,” the CGC said, just as he also acknowledged the role of technology in Customs operations, Adeniyi emphasised the importance of physical engagement with officers.
“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence coming together under one roof adds weight and value to our deliberations. Meetings like this strengthen our unity of purpose and ensure we speak with one voice,” he noted.
Under the OSS framework, the statement said all Customs units will work jointly on flagged declarations, so consignments cleared under the scheme will not be subject to re-interception.
The move is intended to cut costs for importers, speed up trade flows and reduce opportunities for delay and corruption.
The statement added that NCS will also deploy a central dashboard to track clearance times, interventions and stakeholder satisfaction as part of strengthened accountability measures.
Adeniyi said the initiative recognises the role of technology but also stressed the continuing value of physical engagement among officers.
Adeniyi, who told Area Controllers that the OSS is supported by the NCS Act 2023 and is consistent with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), said the OSS will be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne ports before a nationwide rollout.
“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent, and trader-friendly Customs Service,” the customs boss said.
