By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has showcased its digital transformation initiatives, including its Unified Customs Management System (B’Odogwu), artificial intelligence and data-driven operations, at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Smart Customs Project Global Event in Brussels, Belgium.
The two-day event, held from October 29 to 30 at the WCO Headquarters, brought together Customs administrations, technology experts and international stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies could improve border management, strengthen Customs operations and facilitate legitimate international trade.
The NCS delegation was led by Assistant Comptroller Omolara Adedeji, who presented Nigeria's progress towards building a technology-driven Customs administration.
During her presentation titled, “Nigeria Customs Service: The Journey Towards Smart Customs,” Adedeji highlighted the Service's transition from manual operations to integrated digital processes under its Modernisation Project, a statement said on Sunday.
She identified the development and deployment of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System, as a major milestone in the transformation, noting that the platform supports automation, electronic processing, data-driven decision-making and improved collaboration with government agencies and private-sector stakeholders.
According to her, Nigeria's Smart Customs vision rests on two major pillars: smart technology and smart data.
She explained that smart technology covers automation, integrated systems, digital platforms and modern information and communication technology infrastructure, while smart data focuses on intelligence-led interventions, risk management, analytics and improved information sharing.
Adedeji also emphasised the importance of developing personnel with the technical skills and expertise required to sustain the Service's digital transformation and drive innovation.
She further highlighted the deployment of geospatial technology in fleet management, asset management and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), stressing that the Service was extending technology applications beyond Customs declarations to improve operational monitoring, resource management and cargo visibility.
On emerging technologies, she identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, predictive analytics, non-intrusive inspection, integrated border management, interoperability and real-time operational intelligence as priority areas in the Service's modernisation drive.
She said the objective was to move beyond basic automation towards intelligent Customs operations capable of anticipating risks, supporting real-time decisions and facilitating seamless trade.
The event also featured the launch and presentation of the updated WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies, which examined developments in the application of emerging technologies across Customs administrations.
Nigeria was among the administrations that contributed case studies to the report, alongside the General Administration of Customs of China and the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by WCO Deputy Secretary General, Ricardo Treviño Chapa, while keynote addresses were delivered by Xueyan Guo, Director General of the International Cooperation Department of China's General Administration of Customs, and Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of Armenia's State Revenue Committee.
Other sessions examined the deliverables of the Smart Customs Project under its Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and Blockchain packages, including technical reports, readiness assessment tools and practical case studies.
Participants from Cambodia, Mexico, Türkiye and Vietnam also shared perspectives on AI governance, institutional preparedness and the responsible deployment of emerging technologies in Customs administrations.