The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) Initiative designed to cut cargo clearance time from 21 days to just 48 hours, in a major reform aimed at boosting trade facilitation and transparency.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja during a meeting between Customs Management and Area Controllers, chaired by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi. The reform, described as a “transformative shift,” is aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
According to Adeniyi, the OSS will sanitise operations, reduce duplication, and restore predictability to Customs processes. “The initiative will not only shorten clearance time but also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency, and make our operations more business-friendly,” he said.
The OSS framework requires all Customs units to jointly handle flagged declarations under one roof, thereby eliminating multiple checks, re-interceptions, and costly delays. Consignments cleared under the system will enjoy seamless passage, a move expected to reduce costs for businesses and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
While acknowledging the role of technology, Adeniyi stressed the importance of in-person coordination among officers, noting that physical engagement “adds weight and value to deliberations” and strengthens unity of purpose.
The meeting also reviewed accountability mechanisms, including a central dashboard to monitor clearance times, interventions, and stakeholder satisfaction.
The pilot phase of the OSS will begin at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne Ports before nationwide rollout. Adeniyi affirmed that the reform is fully backed by the NCS Act 2023 and consistent with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent, and trader-friendly Customs Service,” he concluded.
Customs Area Controllers at the meeting pledged full support for the reform, describing it as timely and necessary to reposition the Service for greater efficiency.
