Nigeria Customs Service modernizes enforcement for AfCFTA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is modernizing its enforcement architecture to prepare for increased intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Gambo Aliyu, Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, announced that the service is shifting from traditional methods toward a model driven by intelligence, risk assessment, and advanced technology.

This strategic transformation aims to balance rigorous enforcement with trade facilitation. By deploying modern risk-assessment systems, the NCS intends to identify and intercept high-risk or illicit consignments while ensuring that legitimate cargo moves with minimal disruption to throughput and turnaround times. Aliyu emphasized that adopting digital and technology-driven systems is essential to align with international best practices and to remain responsive to the complexities of modern global trade.