Nigeria Customs introduces ‘One Stop Shop’ for cargo clearance

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, says it has officially introduced its ‘One- Stop- Shop’, OSS, initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

NCS’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Maiwada said the initiative was unveiled recently during a meeting between NCS management and Customs Area Controllers chaired by the Comptroller-General, CG, Adewale Adeniyi in Abuja.

He said the meeting deliberated on the Service’s modernisation agenda and the role of leadership in driving reforms across commands.

Maiwada quoted the CG as describing the OSS as a `transformative shift` which aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.

Adeniyi said that the reform was 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,“ Adeniyi said.

The CG acknowledged the role of technology in Customs operations but also emphasised on the importance of physical engagement with officers.

Nigeria Customs introduces ‘One Stop Shop’ for cargo clearance