by George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service has unveiled a digital One-Stop-Shop platform designed to eliminate bureaucratic delays at the nation’s ports and cut cargo clearance times to 48 hours.
At a ceremony in Lagos on Friday, 13 February 2026, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi described the initiative as a major structural reform to modernise border operations and boost Nigeria’s trade competitiveness. He said the platform aligns with broader business reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and with global standards outlined in the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, which estimates that efficient border reforms can reduce trade costs in developing economies by more than 14 percent.
Adeniyi further announced that the Service is moving toward a fully paperless customs environment, with the first phase of digital clearance and documentation scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of 2026. He described the initiative as a deliberate shift toward coordinated governance, data-driven decision-making, and collective responsibility.
Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, explained that the OSS platform consolidates all risk interventions at the port into a single electronic interface, streamlining multiple checks and easing business processes.
A technical presentation by the Service’s Trade Facilitation Unit outlined strategies to reduce cargo clearance from an average of 21 days to about 48 hours, alongside plans for implementation and potential operational challenges. Stakeholders attending the event expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that the platform would promote legitimate trade. An interactive session provided clarifications on procedures and expectations for the OSS rollout.
