Nigeria Customs Unveils One-Stop Shop to Cut Cargo Clearance Time to 48 Hours

By Adirije Karen/ABUJA//

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a One-Stop Shop (OSS) Initiative designed to reduce cargo clearance time from 21 days to just 48 hours, in line with global standards and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.

The reform was formally introduced on Thursday, September 23, 2025, during a management meeting of the NCS with Customs Area Controllers in Abuja, presided over by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi.

Speaking at the unveiling, Adeniyi described the OSS as a significant change that will sanitize operations, minimize duplication of efforts, and restore transparency in cargo clearance 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,” he said.

Under the new system, all Customs units will jointly handle flagged declarations in one location. This coordinated approach will eliminate multiple checks, reduce delays, and ensure that consignments cleared through the OSS are not re-intercepted, a measure expected to lower costs and strengthen trade facilitation.

While acknowledging the important role of technology in modern Customs operations, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of face-to-face coordination.

“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence under one roof adds weight and value to our deliberations. Meetings like this strengthen our unity of purpose and ensure we speak with one voice,” he noted.

The Abuja meeting also reviewed the Service’s new accountability framework, which includes a central dashboard to track clearance times, interventions, and stakeholder satisfaction.

The OSS will be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne Ports before expanding nationwide. The initiative is supported by the NCS Act 2023 and aligns 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,” Adeniyi concluded.

Customs Area Controllers at the meeting pledged their full support, describing the OSS as both timely and necessary for repositioning the Service for greater efficiency. They also assured the CGC of their commitment to achieving the 48-hour clearance target across commands.