By Kabiru Abdulrauf
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled a bold new One-Stop-Shop (OSS) initiative aimed at slashing cargo clearance time from an average of 21 days to just 48 hours — a move expected to transform trade facilitation in the country.
The reform was announced in Abuja during a meeting between the NCS Management and Customs Area Controllers. According to a statement shared via the Service’s official X handle on Sunday, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, hailed the OSS as a “transformative shift” aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
Adeniyi explained that the OSS will not only drastically shorten clearance time but also boost trader confidence, enhance transparency, and create a more business-friendly environment at Nigeria’s ports.
As part of the reform, the NCS will deploy a central dashboard to track clearance times, monitor interventions, and measure stakeholder satisfaction. The system is designed to reduce costs for importers, accelerate trade flows, and curb opportunities for corruption and unnecessary delays.
Backed by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the initiative will first be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne ports before a nationwide rollout.
If fully implemented, the OSS could significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade and help decongest the nation’s busiest ports.
