Nigeria Customs Service Embraces AI to Boost Revenue Transparency and Efficiency

The Nigeria Customs Service has launched a capacity-building programme focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven revenue generation, remittances, and reconciliation, as part of efforts to improve transparency and efficiency in public financial management. The training, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel on April 13, 2026, brought together senior Customs officers, technology experts, and members of legislative oversight committees.

The initiative highlights growing collaboration between the Customs Service and the National Assembly to strengthen accountability and integrate modern technology into public administration. Speaking at the event, Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to adopting innovative solutions to enhance transparency in public accounting and improve operational performance. He noted that evolving technologies such as AI are already helping the Service better understand international trade patterns.

Adeniyi emphasized the importance of leveraging AI collectively across the Service, encouraging participants to actively engage in the training to maximize its benefits. He added that Customs operations are part of a broader national and global trade ecosystem, making technological advancement critical to efficiency and competitiveness.

In her remarks, Deputy Comptroller-General Kikelomo Adeola described the programme as both timely and strategic, stressing that AI is no longer a future concept but a present necessity. She explained that the training is designed to address gaps in revenue management and equip officers with the skills needed to utilize AI tools in safeguarding public funds.

Legislative leaders also commended the initiative, with Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, praising the Customs Service for its reform-driven approach and commitment to innovation. He noted that the adoption of AI in Nigeria’s public sector remains limited, making the training a critical step toward modernization.

Similarly, Senator Ahmed Aliyu, Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, called for sustained collaboration to build resilient systems capable of supporting future generations. A presentation by technology expert Bamidele Oyedeji further highlighted how AI can enhance trade facilitation and operational efficiency within Customs administrations.

Overall, the programme underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen revenue assurance, improve transparency, and drive operational effectiveness across its activities.