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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up its global engagement on technology-driven trade facilitation, unveiling key elements of its digital transformation agenda at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The three-day conference, which opened on January 28 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), brought together Customs administrations, technology firms and policymakers to explore how innovation can strengthen border security while accelerating legitimate trade. The event was held under the theme: “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation.”
Nigeria’s participation reflects the Service’s ongoing trade modernisation programme and its increasing alignment with global standards in data exchange, digitalisation and intelligence-led enforcement.
Speaking at a high-level panel, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, who also chairs the WCO Council, stressed that technology alone is not enough to address emerging cross-border challenges, noting that structured international collaboration remains critical.
“Our experience shows that strong engagement with organisations such as INTERPOL, the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the Universal Postal Union enhances cooperation in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing new trade risks,” Adeniyi said.
He identified cargo diversion along transit corridors as a major global concern, calling for deeper Customs-to-Customs cooperation through existing WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks.
“Diversion of goods in transit is a shared global problem. Only coordinated investigations and stronger data exchange can ensure goods reach their intended destinations,” he added.
The CGC also commended innovative solutions displayed at the conference, particularly a digital humanitarian corridor system developed by the UAE, which he described as a practical model for improving the movement of relief consignments within a fully digitalised environment.
According to Adeniyi, organisational agility in Customs administration goes beyond deploying new platforms, requiring continuous adaptation, strong governance frameworks and sustained investment in human capital.
“As experienced officers exit the system, Customs administrations must prioritise skills development for the next generation. Technology delivers value only when officers have the capacity to maximise its potential,” he said.
The Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Team also featured prominently at the conference. The General Manager of TMP, Ahmed Ogunsola, spoke during a panel on cloud computing and data analytics, highlighting how cloud-based infrastructure can strengthen risk management, improve compliance and enhance border security.
Similarly, TMP’s software development lead, Nabil Mustapha, delivered a technical session on the evolution of national trade systems, focusing on secure digital architectures, seamless user experience and measurable outcomes for stakeholders.
At the exhibition hall, the TMP showcased Nigeria’s homegrown Customs solutions, including the B’odogwu application and other indigenous digital tools designed to integrate all actors in the trade ecosystem and streamline Customs operations.
Senior UAE officials at the opening ceremony underscored the growing role of artificial intelligence, smart monitoring systems and data analytics in achieving secure and efficient trade. The WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, also emphasised that innovation remains central to managing evolving border threats and safeguarding global supply chains.
Beyond formal sessions, the NCS and TMP teams participated in the conference Hackathon, collaborating with global experts to develop practical technology-driven solutions to emerging trade challenges, a move seen as positioning Nigeria as an active contributor to global Customs innovation.
The conference featured live demonstrations and case studies on e-commerce, cybersecurity, scanning technologies, cloud computing and sustainable Customs operations.
