The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a new digital platform, the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), aimed at tackling vehicle smuggling and enhancing transparency in import verification processes.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the initiative as a key milestone in the Service’s modernisation and reform agenda.
He explained that the CVMS was developed in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and indigenous technical experts to create a simpler, more secure process for verifying duty payments.
According to him, previous verification methods were fragmented and outdated, creating loopholes for fraud, misinformation, and revenue losses.
“The launch of this system is another score on the board for our bold transformation agenda,” Adeniyi said. “It redefines how vehicle verification is conducted across the Customs ecosystem and the country at large.”
The CVMS allows vehicle records to be traced, verified, and confirmed within minutes, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.
Adeniyi noted that the platform empowers members of the public to make informed decisions when purchasing vehicles while curbing the circulation of smuggled or improperly cleared automobiles.
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He added that it would also improve the efficiency of enforcement units and other operational arms of the Service.
“In essence, this system brings openness to an area that was previously shrouded in uncertainty and manipulation,” he said.
“Across all our operations, we are deploying innovative, technology-driven solutions to simplify processes, enhance transparency, and boost revenue.”
Adeniyi further stated that the CVMS underscores the NCS’s commitment to building a more efficient and trusted institution, ensuring that Customs operations become smarter, faster, and more transparent.
The launch marks a significant step in the Service’s ongoing efforts to modernise its operations, strengthen institutional integrity, and safeguard Nigeria’s revenue base.