The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) says it’s new scanner machine is capable of examining over 200 containers per hour at the Apapa Port

NCS said the scanners, which are part of the ongoing Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), are expected to speed up cargo clearance, tighten security, and reduce congestion at the port.

Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba, stated this during an inspection of the sites designated for the equipment.

 He said the scanners would be strategically positioned close to the berthing area to ensure that all containers arriving at the port are subjected to high-tech, non-intrusive checks.

“No consignment will escape inspection as the scanners will be examining 200 containers per hour,” Oshoba said.

“This is a major step that will save time, increase revenue, enhance national security, promote trade and prevent port-related crimes right from the point of entry.”

 Oshoba commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for driving the modernisation programme

. He explained that the installation is to be handled by the Trade Modernisation Project in partnership with APM Terminals, will last about 45 days.

“Two scanners will come from the TMP while APM Terminals will provide an additional unit, with a mobile scanner on standby to prevent downtime”.

Oshoba urged officers to get ready for intensive “train-the-trainer” sessions and capacity building for ICT staff who will handle first and second-level maintenance of the scanners, which he described as the first of their kind in West and Central Africa

Oshoba called on Port users and stakeholders to support the project to ensure its success.

 “All hands must be on deck to see this dream through, saying this is the beginning of a new era in customs operations.”

The installation of the scanners is part of a wider modernisation plan aimed at automating customs processes and aligning Nigeria’s trade practices with global standards. Similar upgrades are expected to be introduced at other major ports and border locations once the Apapa pilot is completed.

The Area Controller warned importers, exporters and agents to make honest declarations, noting that the technology will expose concealments and false documentation.

Speaking at the event, TMP Team Leader at the site, Aliyu Suleiman, said the scanners are the NUCTECH FS6000 model from China.

He explained that they use high-penetration dual-energy X-ray transmission technology to inspect trucks and containers in one pass at speeds of up to 15 km/h, providing detailed images that can reveal concealed contraband and dangerous materials.

Suleiman added that the system’s modular design allows integration with other tools such as License Plate Recognition (LPR) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).

The Apapa Command handles the largest volume of container traffic in Nigeria and has for years faced delays caused by manual cargo checks.

Stakeholders believe the deployment of the scanners would cut clearance times, boost revenue and make Apapa a benchmark for other ports in the country.

By: Chinedu Wosu

The Federal Government says its new National Marine and Blue Economy policy is designed to cut logistics costs.

It also said the policy is designed to boost trade competitiveness and attract private sector investment into the transport and maritime sectors.

 Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this at the 2025 Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) Annual Summit, in Lagos.

Represented by the Director, Maritime Services, Department of Marine & Blue Economy, Dr Mercy Ilori, Oyetola explained that the policy would provide a framework for seamless intermodal integration across road, rail, barge and pipeline channels.

He added that the policy was aimed at transforming Nigeria into a logistics hub for West and Central Africa.

“By lowering the cost of doing business, improving turnaround times and creating an enabling environment for private capital, we are positioning Nigeria as a preferred logistics destination in Africa,” Oyetola said.

Oyetola highlighted key interventions already underway to include the operationalisation of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line.

The Minister said that the rail line was to enable port cargo evacuation, expansion of barge operations at Lagos and Onne ports and the completion of the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway.

He included the commissioning of the 27 kilometers Lekki Port Access Road as another intervention.

Oyetola identified the development of inland dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano and Funtua, to ease pressure on seaports and support regional economies.

He stressed that the success of the reforms depended on collaboration among shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, investors and regulators.

Oyetola insisted that Nigeria must adopt digital, green and climate-resilient logistics solutions, to remain globally competitive.

Also Speaking, Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, stated that government had recently approved the National Land Transport Policy after decades of futile struggle.

Represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Alkali said that the policy would undoubtedly serve as a veritable tool to facilitate all developments in the land transport sub-sector.

The minister appreciated President Bola Tinubu for spearheading the National Transport Sector Reform project through laudable policies, initiatives and commitments.

He said these commitments would aid the actualising of the Renewed Hope Agenda, by making public transportation efficient, effective, safe, secure, integrated and affordable.

Earlier, Chairman, TCAN , Tola Adenubi, regretted that Nigeria is yet to have an acceptable protocol to guide the entire transport system, leaving the space open to all comers.

Adenubi added that though transportation addressed challenges of moving from one point to another, doing so seamlessly had remained man’s major headache.

“While Nigeria is grappling with the absence of a national transport policy that should guide her modes of transport, the pressure exerted on the roads by petroleum tankers and trucks have left many roads in sorry state.

“Also, the remaining modes rail, air and waterways have their own share of challenges and there should be solutions to them,” he said.

By: Chinedu Wosu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have agreed on strategic exemptions from the recently suspended 4% Free on Board (FoB) charge.

They also outlined fresh trade facilitation measures to ease manufacturing operations and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial growth.

The decision was reached at a Joint Consultative Meeting between both organisations, convened in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and following the directive of the Minister of Finance on the temporary suspension of the four per cent FOB levy, in Lagos, at the Weekend.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the engagement provided an opportunity to balance the Service’s revenue mandate with its trade facilitation objectives.

He said the exemptions reflected government’s commitment to protecting critical sectors, especially manufacturing, while maintaining an efficient revenue collection system.

Adeniyi said that following consultations with the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, approval had been granted for strategic exemptions from the four per cent FoB charges on importation of raw materials, spares, and machines by manufacturers who are beneficiaries of concessions contained in chapters 98 and 99 of the Customs Tariff, among others.

According to him, manufacturers who are currently on chapters 98 and 99 are advised to apply for pre-release of the consignment to avoid payment of demurrage.

The customs boss said MAN, NCS, and the Federal Ministry of Finance would work together for the inclusion of manufacturers that were currently not on chapters 98 and 99 adding that an immediate tripartite consultation by the three arms would be held immediately to work out the modalities for expedited onboarding of manufacturers on chapters 98 and 99.

“In the meantime, the 4 per cent FoB payments already made by manufacturers who are yet to be on-boarded to chapters 98 and 99 will be held as credit and be utilised for future customs-related transactions after their onboarding.

“Moving forward, the Nigeria Customs Service commits to maintaining ongoing consultation with manufacturing sector stakeholders.

“We also commit to continuing development of trade facilitation infrastructure supporting industrial growth, implementing technology solutions that reduce compliance costs, and providing regular briefings on policy developments,” he said.

Adeniyi added that other exemptions were granted for government projects with import duty exemptions certificates, goods imported for humanitarian, life saving and other related purposes, commercial airlines spare parts and beneficiaries of the Presidential initiative for unlocking healthcare value chain.

The President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, described the outcome as a milestone that would help reduce production costs and improve industrial competitiveness.

He provided valuable insights into operational challenges faced by the manufacturing sector and identified specific areas where enhanced collaboration could improve industrial competitiveness.

Meshioye said areas of challenge beguiling the sector included the implementation of the four per cent FoB as funding for NCS operations, multiple checkpoints, multiple alerts in the clearance system and B’Odogwu platform glitches.

He, however, commended the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme and agreed that a clear guideline for admission would be issued by the Nigeria Customs Service.

In his words, “The gesture of these exemptions presents concrete evidence of the service’s commitment to supporting critical sectors of the economy as it continues to maintain appropriate revenue collection frameworks.

“MAN commits to constructive engagement in policy dialogue processes, providing sector-specific expertise to inform customs policy development, supporting member compliance with regulations, and collaborating in developing industry best practices”.