By Calista Oyeoba / Posted January 27, 2025
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) marked the 2025 International Customs Day on January 26 at Tin Can Island Port, underscoring its commitment to efficiency, security, and prosperity as key tenets of its operations. The event, led by Zone ‘A’ Coordinator OC Orbih, brought together senior customs officials, industry stakeholders, and representatives from agencies such as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC).
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Emphasizing this year’s operational theme, “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,” which aligns with the strategic focus of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. OC Orbih noted that collaboration, innovation, and the adoption of advanced technologies are critical drivers for achieving these objectives.
Orbih described Zone ‘A’ as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s customs operations, serving as a crucial link to global trade. He stressed optimizing operations in this region to strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience and global competitiveness.
Further highlighting the need for strategic investments, Orbih called for enhanced technological capabilities, infrastructure upgrades, and human capital development to bolster the NCS’s role in economic protection and revenue generation.
The event recognized the efforts of officers and stakeholders who excelled in advancing customs operations, including revenue collection, trade facilitation, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.
Orbih praised customs officers as the “silent architects of national prosperity,” urging them to embrace the principles of efficiency, security, and prosperity in their daily work. Their role as facilitators of global trade and protectors of Nigeria’s economic frontiers was highlighted.
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In his contribution, Comptroller FO Onyeka, the Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, outlined cutting-edge innovations to enhance efficiency and transparency, including deployment of the Nigeria Customs Unified Management System (UCMS), together ntegration of advanced technologies like blockchain, e-Customs platforms, and artificial intelligence to streamline processes, reduce delays, and meet global best practices.
The celebration reinforced the NCS’s commitment to excellence and its pivotal role in national development. Orbih urged customs officers and stakeholders to continue driving innovation and collaboration, ensuring that customs operations remain a catalyst for economic growth and security.
The event concluded with calls for sustained dedication to the Customs Service’s mission of securing Nigeria’s economic borders and fostering prosperity for all citizens.
NOTE: Calista is a Trainee-journalist who contributes regularly to DDNEWSONLINE.COM from the Department of Mass Communication, Ekocity Polytechnic, Lagos