Nigeria Customs Introduces 48‑Hour Cargo Clearance with New Digital Platform

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a new digital One‑Stop‑Shop (OSS) platform designed to dramatically speed up the processing of imported goods at the nation’s seaports and land borders, aiming to have cargo released within 48 hours of arrival.

Speaking at the launch event in Lagos, Comptroller‑General Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative will remove bureaucratic hurdles by bringing all risk checks and documentation processes under a single electronic roof. This reform is part of a broader effort to modernise border operations, strengthen trade competitiveness, and reduce costs for importers and exporters.

Adeniyi explained that the One‑Stop‑Shop system aligns with the Federal Government’s ease‑of‑doing‑business agenda and global trade standards, potentially cutting cargo clearance times from several weeks to just two days by eliminating redundant procedures and consolidating decision‑making.

Officials also revealed plans to transition the entire customs environment to a fully paperless system by the second quarter of 2026, further reducing delays and improving efficiency at ports across the country.

Customs stakeholders welcomed the move, noting that a quicker clearance process could attract more investment, lower logistics costs, and boost Nigeria’s position in global trade rankings.