The Federal Government of Nigeria and Trade Modernisation Project Limited signed a 20-year Concession Agreement on 30th of May 2022 to provide best in class technology for the implementation of a paperless Customs at the Nigeria Customs Service.
TMP convened an inaugural stakeholders project implementation summit on 14 June, 2022. The meeting was a platform to set the pace of implementation for project, recognising interdependencies of stakeholder roles and re-affirming the readiness of stakeholders to fully perform designated roles in the project. The summit was attended by the Nigeria Customs Service, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Africa Finance Corporation and Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited.
TMP reached Financial Close (FC), a significant milestone for the project on 29 August 2022, when it finalised financial arrangements for with Access Bank, for $300 Million, to finance Phase 1 of the project, as well as a $9 Million performance bond in the . The FC gave effectiveness to the Concession Agreement. This was confirmed by the NCS As a result of this, the project formally commenced on 28th of September 2022.
Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) held a three day workshop from 8th to 10th of November 2022. The workshop focused on finalising the technical modalities for seamless implementation of the project.
Over the past months, Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have worked diligently to establish the Project Management Office framework, define roles, and establish processes. We have achieved significant milestones, including a robust secure and reliable network structure, comprehensive project planning and control, efficient resource management, and effective communication strategies and channels. We have also setup project tracking and reporting, risk management, knowledge management, and training and development. The PMO remains committed to delivering the project on time and within budget, and we appreciate the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders.
Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited and Huawei jointly facilitated the participation of Nigeria Customs Service and TMP at the 2023 Huawei Connect annual flagship event. The event themed Accelerate Intelligence for the 2023edition, was a showcase of Huawei and its partners’ advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and launching of new technology products and solutions, particularly AI Foundational Models that will drive Intelligent Societies of the future. The NCS and TMP delegation participated in the Keynote event; summits on cybersecurity, networking and telecommunications, as well as software and digital intelligence transformation; and technical sessions on Data Centre technologies and industry trends and future prospects. The delegation also experienced firsthand, some of the technologies that TMP and Huawei have signed to deploy on the NCS Modernisation Project, such as the FS2000 Modular Data Centre, the Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) System, video surveillance system and networking devices. Many of the project deliverables by TMP and Huawei were reconfirmed by the NCS during the trip and reassured the team that the project has placed high priority on quality delivery of latest technology to drive the modernisation of the NCS. The team visited Huawei premises in Shenzhen including its flagship campus, regional Data Centre Research and Development (R&D) campus, as well as its factory. As part of the trip, the delegation paid an official visit to the Liangtan Port in Shenzhen where a first in the world 3D Non-Intrusive Inspection device, developed by Nuctech, was show cased. The Huawei Connect 2023 was an opportunity to explore the improvements intechnology by Huawei, to provide further insight to the NCS and TMP on some of the deliverables that should be expected as part of the project. It was a platform to engage with Huawei technical teams and leadership on deepeningcooperation on the project and reassuring the NCS and TMP of its commitment tothe project. The trip will inspire future visits to technical partners forsimilar experience and exposure as part of enhancing the capacity of the NCS toactualize its technology objectives towards delivering on its mandate.
Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited and Nigeria Customs Service recently attended the 2023 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition which was held between the 10th and 12th of October 2023, in Hanoi, Vietnam. The conference was co-hosted by the General Department of Vietnam Customs and the World Customs Organization (WCO). The theme of the conference was "Embracing the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology, Fostering Innovation, and Nurturing the Next Generation of Customs Professionals." The WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition is a flagship event for the WCO and is held every two years. The conference provides a platform for customs authorities to share best practices, learn about the latest technologies, and network with other stakeholders. The conference brought together over 1,000 participants from customs authorities over the world, technology providers, the broader business community, international organisations, and academia. The conference featured a variety of sessions on topics such as: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in customs, Data analytics and risk management, Digital trade and e-commerce, Cyber security and data protection & Capacity building and training for customs professionals. The conference also featured an exhibition of the latest technological solutions available for customs authorities. Lots of vendors got the chance to showcase and pitch their solutions to the Nigerian customs service and Trade modernisation project limited. The 2023 conference was a success, and participants praised the high quality of the sessions and the opportunity to network with other professionals in the field. The conference also helped to raise awareness of the importance of technology in supporting customs modernization and transformation. Welcoming participants at the conference, the secretary general of the WCO, Dr Kunio Mikuriya, highlighted the critical role of technology in supporting Customs Administrations around the globe and need for public private partnerships to grow the young generation and leverage their technological skills and expertise in modernising the customs process and facilitation of trade. Speaking at the conference, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR emphasized the significance of the WCO Technology Conference, which has been a pivotal event for over a decade, providing a platform for customs administrations, partner companies, sponsors, technology firms, and more to collaborate and exchange insights on the effective integration of technology in customs operations. He highlighted that this year's edition continued the tradition of exposing participants to advanced technological solutions for addressing complex customs challenges. Adeniyi expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We've learned a lot, seeing the deployment of artificial intelligence, machine learning, non-intrusive technology, and various data analytics to analyse customs issues and provide solutions." Adeniyi believes adopting these technological solutions will be a game-changer for Nigeria, improving trade facilitation and revenue generation. He expressed his readiness to initiate processes for their adoption in Nigeria. The Chairman of Trade modernisation project limited Alh. Saleh Ahmadu, OON and the managing director, Dr. Jummai-Umar Ajijola, emphasized the strong partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Trade Modernization Project, highlighting their alignment to ensure the end-to-end automation of Nigeria Customs Service processes and procedures. Worthy of note at the conference were the breakout sessions that delved into contemporary challenges and innovative solutions in diverse areas, especially gender equality, of which Chief Superintendent of Customs Oluwabukola Omoniyi, a delegate from Nigeria was part of the discussants. The Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of ICT/Modernization, ACG Kikelomo Adeola, also attended the conference and shared her commitment to embracing the e-commerce process. She emphasized the automation and AI-driven approach to improving customsoperations. The NigeriaCustoms Service and Trade Modernisation Project Limited are committed toworking together and deploying technological solutions to drive NCS operations.The joint participation in the 2023 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition isa testament to the commitment to modernization and innovation. The adoption oftechnological solutions is expected to facilitate trade and increase revenuegeneration in the country.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on Thursday, 9 May 2024, led his team to the Headquarters of Huawei, a famous information and communications technology company in Shenzhen, China, where he discussed opportunities embedded in Nigeria Customs Service Trade Modernisation Project.His visit to Huawei Headquarters was part of his official visit to the People's Republic of China for the 6th Global AEO Conference that took place in the city of Shenzhen between Wednesday, 8 May - Friday, 10 May 2024.Stating the purpose of his visit to the company's office on behalf of his team, CGC Adeniyi said, "We are also delighted to associate the Global Leader Technology Services through the Team of Trade Modernization."It would be recalled that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had, during the Huawei Connect 2023 held in Shanghai in October 2023, expressed readiness to deploy some of the company's latest products for use in its trade modernisation project. The CGC, who urged Huawei’s company leadership to sustain their digitalisation services to NCS, also sought their support to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service to maintain their transformative journey with the company.On his part, Xujing Xu, the Huawei Company's Vice President of Smart Transportation, welcomed the delegation of the NCS led by CGC Adewale Adeniyi and the Management Team of the Trade Modernization Project (TMP) Limited, led by Chairman Saleh Ahmadu. He expressed confidence that their collaboration will benefit all parties involved, noting that "the foundational work for this transformation is already underway." The TMP Chairman, Saleh Ahmadu, during his address, asserts that Huawei is living up to expectations to deliver its mandate under the auspices of Trade Modernization Project Limited. He appreciated the support accorded to him by the CGC and his management team towards the success of the NCS Trade Modernization Project.Meanwhile, in his bid to upscale the level of NCS modernisation, the Comptroller-General of Customs, alongside members of the Trade Modernization Project led by Chairman Saleh Ahmadu, visited Lantan Port to witness the level of automation and technological solutions provided by Huawei and other tech partners. In a related development, a training program on Trends and Digital Solutions for Customs officials and the Trade Modernization Project (TMP) team was organised by Huawei on Thursday, May 9, 2024, which focused on equipping officials with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape of modern trade.Furthermore, the entourage of the Comptroller-General of Customs and the TMP Chairman received another training on Business Management with the theme "The Journey of Huawei's Continuous Growth". The training, according to the facilitator, was aimed at paving ways for NCS to enhance the capacity of officials to manage trade facilitation in Nigeria.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has expressed optimism that the recently launched Pilot Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program in Nigeria is designed to contribute to the broader objectives of the WCO in promoting border security and fostering sustainable economic development globally.CGC Adeniyi made this known on Wednesday 8 May 2024, during a panel discussion with Sun Yuning, Vice Minister General Administration of China Customs (GACC), Helena Marla, Director-General Tax and Customs Authority of Portugal, Edward Kieswetter, WCO Council Chairperson and Selina Clerk, Deputy Commissioner Operations, Jamaica Customs Agency, at the 6th World Customs Organization Global Authorized Economic Operators Conference taking place in Shenzhen, China.The CGC, who admitted that the Service's level of implementing AEO is at the starting point, expressed his readiness to engage Customs officers in building their capacity about the program "so they will embrace the knowledge of how to implement it, and we will eventually get there." He added.He said, "We started implementing a pilot AEO program a month ago, and we have been inspired by the policy and vision of the new Nigerian government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance the economic competitiveness and diversification."The CGC further highlighted, "The indices that they used in compiling the ease of doing business is trading across borders, and AEO allows us to engage with our stakeholders and reduce the time and cost of doing business."CGC Adeniyi further clarified to the Moderator of the Panel Session, Mr Ian Sanders, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, that "although the Service gets the support of the WCO, the organisers of the conference must consider the challenges that the Service experiences in the area of optimising stakeholders' engagement, amongst others."The Vice Minister of General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Wanga Lingjun, who earlier delivered his opening speech, welcomed the participants to Shenzhen for the 6th WCO Global AEO Conference, held between Wednesday, 8 to 10 May 2024.Delivering his speech, Ian Sanders, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, applauded the participating members of the AEO and described this year's conference "as a platform for sharing a common commitment to transparent, secured and resilient trade ecosystem."Ian Sanders, who highlighted the contributions of small-scale businesses in transforming the global economy, said, "As we explore the transformative potential AEO program, it is crucial to acknowledge the backbone of our local economy: the micro, small and medium-size entrepreneurs or MSMEs".Emphasising the employment opportunities that MSMEs provide to global citizens and enhancing international trade, Mr Ian Sanders assured that the AEO program will engage the operators of MSMEs to benefit from the initiative.During a separate panel discussion on 'Advancing Women's Empowerment through AEO Programmes' with Customs Agents and Trade Experts from China, New Zealand and the Dominican Republic, CSC Nnenna Awa, the AEO lead to the Nigeria Customs Service spoke on factors addressing the barriers in global trade.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) to foster bilateral relationship for the enhancement of economic growth.
On Wednesday, 8 May 2024, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi led some of his management team in Shenzhen, where he highlighted the significance of knotting bilateral affiliation with China, which, according to him, will boost the two countries' import-export operations and favour the businesses of MSMEs in Nigeria. The CGC appreciated the Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Lingjun, for showing interest in signing MoU with the NCS. He also applauded the recent exponential rise in the development of e-commerce, adding, “We know a lot of Nigerian companies and SMEs take advantage of the opportunities aided through e-commerce.”
CGC Adeniyi expressed optimism that the NCS-GACC Memorandum of Understanding will serve as a critical component of cooperative security and trade relationship between the two nation's Customs agencies, reiterating that “The relationship will create a cooperative mechanism for NCS and the GACC to collaborate on supply chain security standards and enhance the economic stability of both nations.”
“These are some of the many reasons why Nigeria Customs Service pays attention to what is happening in China. As you have said, China is making the biggest trade in Nigeria, and the basic context of International Trade is 'your export is our import'. I appreciate the numbers that you gain in Nigeria. But it is also common knowledge that those numbers sometimes must take account of the large volume of informal trade that exists between us.” CGC Adeniyi said.Mr Wang Lingjun of the General Administration of Customs, who represented Vice Minister Sun Yuning, and signed the MoU on behalf
of the People's Republic of China, expressed satisfaction over CGC Adeniyi's vision that the affiliation between two agencies will serve as a mechanism for creating opportunities that Nigeria and China share on a wide range of economic issues and trade facilitation.
