The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged stakeholders in Zone C on the automation of licences and permits, stressing that the success of the initiative depends on strict compliance by officers and users.

The sensitisation forum, held on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is part of the service’s e-Customs modernisation programme under the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, aimed at streamlining cargo clearance, boosting revenue, and curbing smuggling.

Opening the event, Comptroller of Licences and Permits, N.J. Anozie, said the automation aligns with the service’s agenda of consolidation, collaboration and innovation, and reflects global best practices, especially with Adeniyi’s leadership role at the World Customs Organization.

She noted that the digital system would ease doing business, cut costs, reduce human contact, and minimise fraud, as fake documents would be automatically rejected. Anozie added that officers and stakeholders had been trained and urged them to fully embrace the platform.

In a keynote address, Deputy Comptroller-General, CK Niagwan, represented by Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, said the reform would strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure transparency in licensing.

She explained that the system integrates tax verification, document uploads, and structured workflows for approval, renewal, and compliance monitoring, adding that applications would be systematically reviewed at command and headquarters levels.

Also speaking, Comptroller of Administration, Zone C, Ifeyinwa Edebeatu, described the initiative as a major step toward efficiency, accountability, and service delivery, noting that it aligns the NCS with global trade practices.

The event featured technical presentations, interactive sessions, and a vote of thanks by Comptroller Usman Yahaya. Stakeholders welcomed the initiative but urged the service to eliminate operational bottlenecks.

Participants included officers of the NCS, members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Association of Progressive Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (APFFLON), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), terminal operators, and shipping companies.