from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reveals it has trained more than 1 800 officers in artificial intelligence data analytics and risk profiling, and as part of efforts to transform the agency’s transformation.
The tax-collecting organisation reports that this adoption of technology had played a part in it exceeding revenue generation during the first quarter of the current year.
A record ₦13 trillion (US$7,56 billion) in revenues for this period, more than double the first quarter of 2024.
“Customs is no longer just about physical inspection,” Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said.
“It’s about precision and speed. We are transforming into a modern, tech-driven agency,” he added.
Adeniyi was speaking in Abuja ahead of the second anniversary of the reign of President Bola Tinubu.
He said Tinubu had given NCS a mandate to block leakages and facilitate trade.
“That is exactly what we are doing, and the results are beginning to speak for themselves,” Adeniyi added.
The Customs chief said data-driven surveillance and strategic partnerships with other security agencies had dismantled major smuggling syndicates operating at key borders.
“We are using data, surveillance drones and port intelligence to act in real time,” he explained.
– CAJ News