The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has defended its ongoing digital reforms, valuation procedures and administrative processes, saying its modernisation drive is strengthening transparency, reducing human interference and blocking revenue leakages across the country’s trade corridors.
The Service’s position followed questions raised in an investigative report published by SaharaReporters on August 7, 2026, concerning enforcement activities in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states and vehicle valuation procedures at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.
National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, said the Service’s digital VIN-Valuation system has significantly reduced discretionary decisions in vehicle clearance. He explained that standard vehicles are assessed automatically using global manufacturer specification databases, while non-standard vehicles are subjected to the “846” Extended Procedure Code and require additional approval from designated Valuation Officers and Area Controllers.
Maiwada said the Service’s post-clearance audit system further strengthens accountability by identifying underpayments and triggering Demand Notices for the recovery of short-collected duties.
He added that offending agents could also have their clearance licences suspended. According to the Service, revenue collections at Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML have reached historic levels amid increased digital oversight.
On border enforcement, the NCS said seizure figures regularly presented by Area Controllers demonstrate its continued efforts against smuggling while maintaining legitimate trade facilitation. The Service also dismissed concerns over its recruitment and promotion processes, insisting that recent recruitment exercises were conducted under the supervision of the Nigeria Customs Service Board and in line with the NCS Act 2023 and Federal Character Commission guidelines.
The Service further said promotions are governed by the Public Service Rules and the NCS Act 2023, with seniority, performance in promotion examinations and available vacancies forming the basis for advancement.
It said the current administration has made promotion exercises more regular and transparent, while leadership training programmes at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, and overseas institutions form part of its human-capital development strategy.
The Customs Service also said it remains open to independent scrutiny, noting that its activities are subject to oversight by the Federal Ministry of Finance, National Assembly, Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC and ONSA.
The Service said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, revenue leakage and administrative misconduct, stressing that any officer or stakeholder found culpable would face disciplinary action and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.