The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, announced on Tuesday that by December 2026, physical inspections of cargo will be fully phased out, with the Service shifting entirely to scanning technologies and data analytics.

Adeniyi noted that this move is part of a broader effort to modernise cargo clearance, leveraging technology to ease port congestion, accelerate processing times, and strengthen security.

He made the disclosure in Apapa during the unveiling of the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytical Arena, a new two-storey facility housing the analytics centre, the Customs Intelligence Unit, a clinic, and key strategic offices.

Adeniyi also inaugurated another facility supporting the Service’s technological shift in Apapa, stressing that data analytics will be the backbone for minimizing manual cargo inspections.

“Physical examinations will be completely phased out by December 2026, as the Service would then focus on scanning machines and data analytics,” he said.

Adeniyi stated that the strategic aim is to markedly increase the proportion of cargo subjected to scanning across all major entry points in Nigeria, including Apapa, Tincan Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar, and other operational commands—by year-end.

He noted that current Apapa data shows a heavy reliance on physical inspections, with 21,373 consignments processed through the Red channel, compared with 3,236 scanned (Orange), 5,490 documentary (Yellow), 1,118 Blue, and 149 Green consignments.

Adeniyi added that expanding scanning at key ports such as Apapa, Tincan Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar is aimed at reducing congestion and speeding up cargo clearance.

He urged traders to declare their cargo honestly and participate in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme to gain trusted status, emphasizing that greater compliance will reduce intrusive inspections on legitimate trade.

The C-G stressed that the new system focuses only on high-risk shipments, improving enforcement precision while ensuring smooth processing for compliant consignments.