By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL) have completed a two-week Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of newly acquired Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment and an Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) in China ahead of their deployment to Nigeria.
The exercise, which took place from October 9 to 20, 2026, at the facilities of Nuctech Company Limited, the equipment manufacturer, was aimed at verifying the technical specifications, quality and operational readiness of the advanced systems before shipment to Nigeria.
The high-powered delegation was led by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Information Communication and Technology/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin.
The newly acquired technology is designed to work together to strengthen cargo inspection, improve real-time monitoring of goods from ports to their destinations, enhance revenue collection and reinforce national security.
Speaking during the exercise, Adebakin reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to deploying technology as a key driver of trade facilitation, revenue optimisation and national security.
She described the Factory Acceptance Test as a critical quality-assurance process to ensure that the equipment meets contractual specifications and internationally recognised operational standards before delivery to Nigeria.
According to her, the initiative reflects the Service’s determination to deploy advanced, fit-for-purpose technology capable of accelerating cargo examination, reducing cargo dwell time and strengthening the detection of concealed and prohibited items.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi, is committed to ensuring that we deploy only cutting-edge, fit-for-purpose technology that will fast-track cargo examination, reduce dwell time, and enhance our ability to detect concealments and prohibited items, improve revenue generation, as well as facilitate legitimate trade,” Adebakin said.
Also speaking, the Acting Comptroller of Non-Intrusive Inspection, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Umar Madugu, said the deployment of the scanners and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System would significantly reduce reliance on 100 per cent physical cargo examination.
Madugu explained that the technology would minimise human contact in cargo inspection, curb cargo diversion and improve operational efficiency across Customs formations.
He added that the integration of advanced scanning equipment with electronic tracking would strengthen cargo monitoring and support more effective Customs operations.
On its part, Trade Modernisation Project Limited described the successful completion of the Factory Acceptance Test as a significant milestone in the implementation of the Trade Modernisation Project.
The company’s General Manager, Bamidele Chinedu, said the integration of Non-Intrusive Inspection scanners with the Electronic Cargo Tracking System was central to establishing a transparent, efficient and technology-driven Customs administration.
Chinedu noted that the combined systems would enhance cargo visibility and support improved monitoring throughout the supply chain.
Similarly, Niu Chao, Project Manager at Nuctech Company Limited, China, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing world-class equipment, technical support, capacity building and after-sales services to ensure the successful deployment and sustained operation of the systems in Nigeria.
As part of the exercise, technical experts from the Nigeria Customs Service and TMPL also received training on the handling, operation and maintenance of the scanners and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System.
The training is expected to equip Nigerian personnel with the technical expertise required to ensure seamless deployment, effective utilisation and long-term sustainability of the equipment.
The initiative represents another step towards modernising Nigeria’s Customs operations through technology, with the ultimate objectives of facilitating legitimate trade, strengthening border security, improving revenue generation and reducing delays in cargo clearance.
