New Cargo Scanners To Cut Port Delays, Curb Diversion – Customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said the planned deployment of advanced cargo scanners and an electronic tracking system will help reduce port delays, curb cargo diversion and improve the efficiency of cargo clearance.

The systems, which are undergoing final technical checks in China, are designed to strengthen cargo examination, reduce reliance on physical inspections and enable real-time monitoring of consignments from ports to their final destinations.

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A delegation of the NCS and Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL) recently completed a two-week Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) on the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment and Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) at the facility of Nuctech Company Limited in China.

The exercise, which took place from October 9 to 20, 2026, was led by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Information Communication and Technology/Modernisation Department, Oluyomi Adebakin.

The factory acceptance test was conducted to verify that the equipment met contractual specifications and global operational standards before shipment to Nigeria.

Speaking during the exercise, Adebakin said the technology would support the Customs Service’s efforts to facilitate legitimate trade, improve revenue collection and strengthen national security.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi, is committed to ensuring that we deploy only cutting-edge, fit-for-purpose technology that will fast-track cargo examination, reduce dwell time, and enhance our ability to detect concealments and prohibited items, improve revenue generation, as well as facilitate legitimate trade,” she said.

The acting comptroller of Non-Intrusive Inspection, Deputy Comptroller Umar Madugu, said the scanners and tracking system would significantly reduce the need for 100 per cent physical examination of cargo, minimise human contact and help prevent cargo diversion.

He added that the technology would improve operational efficiency across Customs formations by strengthening cargo monitoring and reducing dependence on manual inspection procedures.

For port operators and importers, faster cargo examination could help reduce delays associated with clearance processes. However, the extent of the gains will depend on the effective deployment of the equipment and its integration into existing Customs operations.

The general manager of TMPL, Bamidele Chinedu, described the factory acceptance test as a milestone in the implementation of the Trade Modernisation Project.

He said the integration of non-intrusive inspection scanners with the electronic cargo tracking system was central to establishing a transparent, technology-driven Customs administration.

The Project Manager of Nuctech Company Limited, Niu Chao, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supplying the equipment and providing technical support, capacity building and after-sales services.

During the exercise, technical experts from the NCS and TMPL also received training on operating and maintaining the scanners and tracking system ahead of their planned deployment in Nigeria.

The equipment is expected to strengthen cargo inspection and monitoring, with Customs seeking to balance tighter enforcement against smuggling and revenue leakages with faster clearance of legitimate consignments.