The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is on the verge of a significant technological leap at the nation's busiest seaport. Officials have announced that the service is approximately 80 per cent prepared for the full operational launch of a state-of-the-art cargo scanning machine at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
Inspection Confirms Progress Towards Paperless Port
This update came from the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT, Oluyomi Adebakin, following a recent inspection visit to the scanner site located at the jetty side of APM Terminals. The visit, which occurred on 25 December 2025, was prompted by successful final test runs and simulation exercises.
Adebakin emphasized that the push for scanner deployment is a collaborative effort, involving a tripartite arrangement between the NCS, APM Terminals, and the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP). While expressing satisfaction with the progress, she highlighted the importance of the remaining work. "From what we have seen, we can say that we are 80 per cent ready. The remaining 20 per cent is very vital, and before commissioning, it will be properly addressed," she stated.
Scanner to Revolutionize Cargo Examination
The newly installed FS6000 non-intrusive inspection system is set to replace the longstanding practice of manual, physical cargo examination. This shift promises to dramatically alter port operations. Adebakin assured stakeholders that the full rollout will deliver multiple benefits, including:
- Faster cargo clearance processes.
- A significant reduction in costly demurrage charges for importers.
- More seamless operations and an improved ease of doing business.
"The era of scattering people’s goods in the name of examination is over," Adebakin declared. She revealed the scanner's impressive technical capability, noting it has a throughput capacity of about 200 containers per hour. The system has already proven reliable during preliminary scanning examinations and system analyses.
Building on Successful Simulation Tests
The Customs Area Controller for the Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, provided further context, linking the inspection to a successful simulation exercise conducted in November 2025. During that earlier test, scanned images were successfully synchronized in real-time with electronic declarations, a critical step for achieving a truly paperless clearance environment.
This move by the Nigeria Customs Service is a core part of its broader strategy to enhance trade facilitation, boost operational efficiency, and align with international best practices in port management. The full commissioning of the Apapa scanner marks a pivotal step towards modernizing Nigeria's maritime trade infrastructure.
