The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, announced on Tuesday that physical examinations of cargo will be completely phased out by December 2026, as the Service will then focus on scanning machines and data analytics.

Adeniyi added that the Service is revolutionising cargo clearance with a shift to technology-driven inspections, which is expected to significantly reduce congestion at ports, speed up clearance processes, and boost security.

He disclosed this in Apapa while speaking during the unveiling of the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytical Arena, a new two-storey facility housing the analytics centre, the Customs Intelligence Unit, the clinic, and strategic offices. He also inaugurated a facility that boosts the tech shift in Apapa and emphasised that data analytics is the backbone for reducing manual checks.

“Physical examinations will be completely phased out by December 2026, as the Service would then focus on scanning machines and data analytics,” he said.

According to him, the strategic objective is therefore to significantly increase the proportion of cargo subjected to scanning across all major entry points in Nigeria before the end of the year, including Apapa, Tincan Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar, and other operational commands.

Adeniyi noted that the current Apapa data reveals heavy reliance on physical examination: “namely, 21,373 consignments via the Red channel versus 3,236 scanned (Orange), 5,490 documentaries (Yellow), 1,118 blue, and 149 green.”

The goal, Adeniyi explained, is to expand scanning across major ports like Apapa, Tincan Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar to reduce congestion and speed up clearance.

He urged traders to declare cargo honestly and join the Authorised Economic Operator programme for trusted status, noting that higher compliance will minimise intrusive checks on legitimate trade.

The CGC stressed that this targets high-risk shipments only, enhancing enforcement accuracy without disrupting compliant flows.

Earlier, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, described the inauguration of the analytical arena as the start of intelligence-driven customs operations and better officer welfare.

Oshoba detailed the two-storey building’s role in housing the Hitech Analytics Centre, Customs Intelligence Unit, Command Clinic, and other strategic offices, reflecting the CGC’s vision for technology to combat smuggling and ease trade.

He expressed profound appreciation to stakeholders via the Customs-PACT partnership for turning the vision into reality, noting that their collaboration built a safer Nigeria.

Similarly, the Controller commended the CGC’s leadership in prioritising efficiency and welfare, hence naming the facility after him.

The Controller tied the project to reducing physical examinations, citing Apapa data: 21,373 Red channel (physical) versus 3,236 Orange (scanning), urging scanner expansion to target only high-risk cargo, reduce congestion, and boost clearance nationwide by year-end with improved trader compliance.