Nigeria Customs Launches Automation of Licences, Permits in Zone ‘A

The Nigeria Customs Service has commenced the automation of its Licences and Permits processes, marking a significant step toward faster and more transparent service delivery for stakeholders.
The initiative was formally unveiled at the Zonal Sensitisation Programme on the Automation of Licences and Permits Processes held at the Customs Training College Auditorium, Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, 23rd February 2026.

In his keynote address, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’ described the event as the beginning of a new chapter in how the Service delivers licences and permits. He noted that the automation programme, approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is a direct response to the long-standing need to make Customs processes faster, more transparent and easier for the trading community.

According to him, for many years stakeholders had to contend with paperwork, long queues and the uncertainty associated with manual processing. He said those challenges would soon become a thing of the past.
“For stakeholders, automation means you will no longer need to visit a Customs office physically to apply for or renew a licence or permit. You will be able to complete your applications from your office or even from your phone and track the status of your application in real time,” he said.
He explained that the new system would ensure faster processing of applications, reduce errors associated with manual record-keeping and promote fairness and consistency, as the same process would apply to everyone.
For the Service, he added, automation would enhance record-keeping, improve supervision and enable officers to serve more stakeholders efficiently without increasing operational burdens.

The Zonal Coordinator stressed that the sensitisation programme, being held simultaneously across all Zones, is designed to ensure that stakeholders fully understand the new automated system before its full implementation. He encouraged participants to ask questions freely and provide honest feedback, noting that their contributions would help refine the system.
“Automation does not succeed on its own. It succeeds because people decide to make it work. Your feedback, questions and engagement are crucial to this transformation,” he said.
He also urged stakeholders to share the information with their associations and colleagues who were not present at the event, adding that widespread understanding of the new process would ensure a smoother transition.

Describing Lagos as the commercial heartbeat of the nation, the Zonal Coordinator noted that Zone ‘A’ remains the most active and economically significant Zone in Nigeria, making it critical for the automation process to succeed there.
The programme featured detailed presentations by officials of the Licences and Permits Unit, who walked participants through every step of the new system.

The event concluded with a call for collaboration between the Service and the trading community, as Customs moves to modernise its operations and improve service delivery nationwide