The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is partnering with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) in combating the influx of illicit drugs and arms into Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview with Voice of America (VOA) correspondent Chinedu Offor on July 23, 2024, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi disclosed the recent discussions held in Washington DC with CBP officials. These talks are part of a strategic effort to enhance Nigeria’s customs operations amid rising gang sophistication.
“Earlier in the week, I was in San Diego for a conference on the use of geospatial intelligence in customs operations. Integrating and adopting tools like AI and geospatial intelligence were central to our discussions with the CBP. I am excited that in the days ahead, we will begin to reap the benefits of this engagement,” CGC Adeniyi said.
Highlighting the United States’ commitment to assisting the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi stated, “We will share our experiences with them to identify what works for us and what does not. We are conducting a needs assessment to determine our priorities.”
In response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive on removing tariffs to reduce food prices and address the ongoing food crisis, CGC Adeniyi noted that the President is empowered by the Nigeria Customs Service 2023 to adjust tariffs on imported goods to help curb food inflation in the country.
The Customs boss also reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to disrupting smuggling networks dealing in illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition through Nigeria’s ports. “We will continue to employ intelligence-driven solutions to combat this menace,” he emphasized.
The collaboration with CBP marks a significant step in bolstering Nigeria’s customs capabilities, aiming to enhance security and streamline operations to protect the nation’s borders effectively.