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Customs Launches Digital Vehicle Verification Platform to Curb Smuggling
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a new digital vehicle verification platform designed to stop smuggling, eliminate fake customs documents, and improve transparency in the country’s auto import sector.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The platform, known as the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), allows Nigerians to verify the customs status of any imported vehicle by entering its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). According to the NCS, the verification process takes only minutes and replaces the old manual system that was slow and vulnerable to fraud.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said the CVMS marks a major step in the agency’s modernization drive. He explained that the digital platform would close loopholes exploited by smugglers and boost government revenue.
“For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods that left room for misinformation, fraud, and revenue leakages,” Adeniyi said at the launch event in Abuja. “Today, we have introduced a transparent, efficient, and user-friendly platform that redefines how vehicle verification is conducted in Nigeria.”
The new system, developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project, integrates vehicle records dating back to 2017. It allows customs officers, dealers, and car buyers to confirm whether a vehicle was properly cleared through official channels. Users will pay a verification fee of ₦15,000 per vehicle and can make payments with local or international debit or credit cards.
Officials say the CVMS will help tackle the growing problem of smuggled vehicles and fake clearance papers that have cost the federal government billions in lost revenue. It will also make it harder for stolen or illegally imported vehicles to enter the market.
Adeniyi said the move aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to digitalize public services and improve trade facilitation. “This initiative brings openness to an area that was previously shrouded in uncertainty and manipulation,” he said. “It empowers citizens, strengthens enforcement, and supports our goal of a fully automated customs system.”
The Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) welcomed the platform, calling it a positive development for the industry. Chairman Ajibola Adedoyin said the system would protect honest dealers from harassment and build public trust in the used-car market. “This platform is long overdue. It will help legitimate dealers prove the authenticity of their vehicles and encourage buyers to make informed decisions,” he said.
The launch of the CVMS is part of a larger plan to modernize customs operations by using data analytics and digital tools to detect irregularities in import records. The NCS said the system’s built-in reporting features will enable officers to track and flag suspicious vehicle transactions in real time.
Vehicle smuggling has long been one of the biggest challenges facing Nigerian customs. Many imported cars enter the country through unapproved routes or are undervalued to avoid duties. The digital verification system is expected to help close these gaps by linking all vehicle import records into one secure database.
The NCS said the CVMS is now live and accessible to the public nationwide. Training programs are underway for customs officers and licensed dealers to ensure smooth adoption. Over the next few months, the service plans to integrate the platform with other trade and border management systems.
Adeniyi added that the ultimate goal is to achieve full automation of Nigeria’s customs operations by 2030. “We are building a system that not only secures our borders but also supports economic growth through transparency and technology,” he said.
The Customs Service encouraged all vehicle importers, dealers, and buyers to use the CVMS before purchasing or clearing imported vehicles. Officials believe that if widely used, the new platform could significantly reduce smuggling, increase revenue, and promote confidence in Nigeria’s automobile market.
Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) has graduated 17,300 students at its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies held on Saturday at the main campus.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The university also conferred honorary Doctorate Degrees on Paul Odili, Founder and CEO of Paulo Group of Companies; Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN; and Emmanuel Issa, in recognition of their contributions to society.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the honourees were selected based on their character, achievements, and commitment to excellence.
He urged graduating students to focus on what they can contribute to national development, stressing that character, discipline, and integrity would determine their success beyond the classroom.
According to him, certificates may open doors, but personal values and conduct will shape long-term achievements.
The Vice Chancellor also reminded the graduates to uphold the reputation of the institution wherever they go.
Fawehinmi disclosed that the 29th convocation covered the 2022/2023 academic session, while the 30th covered 2023/2024, with thousands graduating across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Speaking after receiving his honorary award, Dr. Odili dedicated the recognition to Nigerians with dreams and encouraged young people to remain persistent in pursuing their goals.
He also pledged support for the university, promising collaboration aimed at addressing key challenges facing the institution.
The Federal Government has released an updated list of items banned from importation into Nigeria, in a move aimed at protecting local industries and reducing pressure on foreign exchange.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The revised prohibition schedule, dated April 1, 2026, outlines 17 broad categories of goods that are no longer allowed into the country through any entry point.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the policy affects a wide range of products, including food items, pharmaceuticals, household goods, and industrial materials.
One of the most notable aspects of the list is the ban on several widely used medicines under specified HS codes, including paracetamol, metronidazole, cotrimoxazole, chloroquine, aspirin, folic acid, and some vitamin supplements. The government says these are now to be produced locally.
The restriction also covers pharmaceutical waste, which remains completely prohibited.
In the agriculture and food sector, the importation of poultry, pork, beef, and eggs remains banned, although an exception was made for hatching eggs used for breeding and research purposes.
Retail-packaged vegetable oils, sugar products, cocoa derivatives, tomato paste, and certain bottled water products are also included in the import restrictions, with emphasis on encouraging local production.
The policy further bars detergents, soaps, ballpoint pens and refills, cement, certain fertilizers, packaging materials, and specific steel and glass products.
The Nigeria Customs Service has been directed to enforce the new rules strictly, with importers and businesses advised to comply fully to avoid seizure of goods and penalties.
ADC chieftain and publisher, Dele Momodu, has dismissed calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, describing the push as unfair and politically motivated.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Momodu was reacting to comments by activist Zekeri Idris Jnr, a supporter of Peter Obi, who urged Atiku to step aside over concerns about his age, which would be about 80 by 2027.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Momodu said attention should be focused on holding the government accountable rather than targeting Atiku’s political ambition.
The exchange followed a viral video where Idris insisted that Atiku should support younger aspirants instead of contesting, arguing that voters would not back an elderly candidate.
Idris also suggested that Atiku should act as a statesman and support younger politicians such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others.
Responding, Momodu cited several world leaders who held office at advanced ages, arguing that experience should not be dismissed in leadership discussions.
He questioned what should disqualify Atiku from contesting, insisting that age alone is not a valid reason.
Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering another run in 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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