Vehicle Smuggling: Customs Launches Digital Verification System to Curb Menace
By Raheem Ibrahim
In its effort to curb the incessant smuggling of vehicles into the country without proper documentation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a new digital verification platform aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the automobile importation process.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, officially unveiled the new initiative—known as the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS)—at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
During the launch, Adeniyi described the system as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernization drive, noting that it closes long-standing loopholes in the vehicle clearance process.
“For years, the verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods that created room for misinformation, fraud, and revenue leakages. The launch of this system is another milestone in our bold transformation agenda,” the CGC stated.
He explained that the CVMS was developed in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and local technical experts to provide a secure and transparent verification process accessible to all Nigerians. The digital platform, he added, will significantly reduce the circulation of smuggled or improperly cleared vehicles while boosting government revenue.
“This new solution empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our Service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust. Anyone who invests millions of naira in a vehicle would not hesitate to pay N15,000 to verify its authenticity and ensure their investment is protected,” Adeniyi said.
According to him, payments can be made using any valid card issued by financial institutions in Nigeria or abroad, with verification results generated instantly. The platform also creates a centralized database through which vehicle details can be traced, verified, and confirmed within minutes—improving operational efficiency across Customs formations and enhancing inter-agency coordination.
Adeniyi further emphasized that the CVMS is part of the Service’s broader digital reform strategy, aimed at simplifying clearance procedures, promoting data-driven operations, and ensuring greater transparency in revenue collection.
“In essence, this system brings openness to an area that was previously shrouded in uncertainty and manipulation. Across all our operations, we are deploying innovative, technology-driven solutions to simplify processes and boost transparency,” he added.
In his remarks, the National President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON), Ajibola Adedoyin, commended the initiative and assured that his members would adopt the system after conducting an independent assessment.
