The Nigeria Customs Service has unveiled a One-Stop-Shop initiative aimed at drastically reducing cargo clearance times from an average of 21 days to just 48 hours.
The reform was presented by Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi as a “transformative shift” that aligns with global best practice and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
According to Adeniyi, the OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time but also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency, and make Customs operations more business-friendly.
“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.
The OSS framework will enable all Customs units to work jointly on flagged declarations, ensuring that consignments cleared under the scheme will not be subject to re-interception. This move is intended to cut costs for importers, speed up trade flows, and reduce opportunities for delay and corruption.
Adeniyi emphasized the importance of physical engagement with officers, noting that “as much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence coming together 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.”
The NCS will deploy a central dashboard to track clearance times, interventions, and stakeholder satisfaction as part of strengthened accountability measures.
The OSS will be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne ports before a nationwide rollout. “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 said.
The Customs Area Controllers have pledged their full support for the OSS initiative and promised to drive the reform at command level to meet the 48-hour clearance target.
This development comes after NCS announced the exemption of raw materials, spare parts, and certain machinery from the payment of the four percent Free on Board levy.
