The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has announced plans to scale up its cargo inspection processes with a target of scanning 200 containers per hour, in a move aimed at boosting trade facilitation and reducing congestion at the nation’s busiest port.
Speaking during an interaction with port stakeholders on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, said the initiative was part of ongoing reforms to modernize operations and align with international best practices.
According to him, the deployment of modern non-intrusive inspection technology will enable Customs officers to process more cargo in less time, ensuring faster clearance of goods and minimizing bottlenecks at the port.
“Our goal is efficiency. If we can scan up to 200 containers hourly, the turnaround time for cargo owners will drastically improve, and Apapa Port will reclaim its position as a leading trade hub in West Africa,” Jaiyeoba said.
He added that the enhanced scanning process would also strengthen revenue collection and curb smuggling, as technology would make it harder for fraudulent declarations and concealments to pass undetected.
Stakeholders, including freight forwarders and shipping companies, welcomed the plan but urged Customs to ensure consistent implementation and maintenance of scanning machines, noting that equipment breakdowns in the past had slowed clearance and increased costs.
Apapa Port handles over 70 percent of Nigeria’s containerized cargo, making it central to the country’s import-export trade. Experts say the success of the new scanning target could significantly ease pressure on the port, reduce demurrage charges for importers, and improve Nigeria’s ranking on global trade indices.
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