In a landmark move toward digital transformation, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, initiated a 2-day NCS 2024 ICT—Modernization Management Retreat on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Abuja. The event marked a pivotal moment for the Customs Service as it gears up for a new era of modernization and efficiency through technology.
Addressing the attendees, CGC Adeniyi underscored the necessity of embracing technology to streamline customs operations, citing the demands from stakeholders for a more efficient and transparent Customs Service. He emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders and encouraged his Management Team, particularly in ICT, to spearhead digitalization efforts.
“In 2024, we cannot afford to remain entrenched in outdated practices. Stakeholders are demanding a Customs Service that embraces technology to enhance efficiency and transparency,” remarked CGC Adeniyi.
Focusing on the implementation of the electronic cargo tracking system, CGC Adeniyi urged his team to utilize internal resources to expedite the modernization process. He stressed that every facet of the Customs Enforcement Ecosystem must undergo modernization and integration of technology to fortify operations.
The Chairman of Trade Modernization Project Limited, Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, welcomed CGC Adeniyi to the retreat, praising the CGC’s commitment to the initiative. Ahmadu highlighted the vital role of trade in national development and expressed confidence that the modernization efforts would revolutionize NCS’s operations, fostering a conducive environment for trade across Nigeria and the African continent.
Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernization, ACG Kikelomo Adeola, commended the CGC’s unwavering commitment to the project, emphasizing its significance in reshaping and modernizing the Service’s activities.
“Welcome to this landmark retreat, where we embark on a journey to recalibrate and modernize the Service, aligning it with international standards,” stated ACG Adeola.
The NCS 2024 ICT-Modernization Management Retreat marks the beginning of a transformative era for the Nigeria Customs Service, signaling its readiness to embrace technological advancements and pursue operational excellence.