The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated a capacity-building programme focused on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance revenue generation, remittances, and reconciliation processes.
The training, which held on Monday at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, brought together senior Customs officials, technology experts, and members of legislative oversight committees, signalling strengthened collaboration between the Service and the National Assembly on accountability and innovation.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving transparency in public financial management through technology. He noted that evolving digital tools, particularly AI, are critical in enhancing operations and understanding global trade patterns.
Adeniyi encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions, expressing confidence that AI would significantly improve Customs processes within the broader trade ecosystem.
In her remarks, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Kikelomo Adeola, described the initiative as timely and strategic, stressing that AI is now essential for strengthening institutional systems. She said the programme aims to bridge gaps in revenue management while equipping officers with skills to safeguard public funds.
She also highlighted the presence of lawmakers as a sign of shared commitment to transparency and accountability.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, Bamidele Salam, commended the Customs Service for embracing reforms and innovation, noting its vital role in shaping Nigeria’s economic outlook. He described the training as necessary, given the limited application of AI across public institutions.
Similarly, Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, Ahmed Aliyu, called for sustained collaboration in building durable systems capable of serving future generations, while praising ongoing reforms within the Service.
The programme also featured insights from technology expert Bamidele Oyedeji, who underscored the importance of AI in improving trade facilitation and operational efficiency in Customs administration.
The initiative highlights the NCS’s drive to adopt emerging technologies to strengthen revenue assurance, transparency, and overall effectiveness in its operations.