APAPA PORT INTENSIFY EFFORT FOR FULL SCANNER TAKE-OFF IN 2026

By Okey Iroegbu 

The Nigeria Customs Service in the regime of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR PhD did everything possible to change the narrative on trade facilitation in 2025. On Monday 22 December 2025

at the flagship of all the Customs command, Apapa, the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified preparations for the operational take-off of its newly installed FS6000 scanning machine at APM Terminals, Apapa. This was following the working visit of the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT, DCG Oluyomi

Adebakin. With the information reaching this media through the command's Public Relations Officer, CSC Isah Sulaiman,  the visit comes as a build-up to the deployment of the scanners, which recently completed final test runs and simulation exercises at the terminal as part of the Service’ drive toward paperless cargo clearance, trade facilitation and operational efficiency. The report further said that speaking during the inspection of the scanning site at the Jetty side of

APMT, DCG Adebakin explained that the visit was aimed at ensuring adequate pre-arrangement and preparedness for a smooth transition to full scanning operations in line with international best practices. “The reason for this visit is the pre-arrangement and preparation for the take-up of the FX6000 scanning machine at the Jetty side of APMT, so that we can have a seamless transition to a scanning system which aligns with international best practices,” she said. She disclosed that the level of readiness to deploy the scanners are at  about 80 percent, which involves a tripartite responsibility involving the Nigeria Customs Service, APM Terminals, and the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), adding that the remaining critical components would be fully addressed before commissioning. “From what we have seen, we can say that we are 80 percent ready. The remaining 20 percent is very vital, and I believe that prior to commissioning, it will be properly fixed. From the scanning examination and system analysis carried out, the system is good to go, and between now and the commissioning, we will achieve a proper take-up,” she noted. The DCG further highlighted the benefits the stakeholders should expect after commissioning, she assured port users of seamless operations, faster cargo clearance, reduced demurrage, ease of doing business and a balanced approach between trade facilitation and compliance. “The era of scattering people’s goods in the name of examination is over. This is a non-intrusive inspection system in line with international best practices. It is to the advantage of importers, consignees, terminal operators and the Service. The scanner has a throughput capacity of about 200 containers per hour,” she added. It could be realized that on November 6, 2025, under the supervision of the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the scanners were successfully tested for real-time synchronization of scanned images with electronic declarations. This visit therefore is to build on the recent completion of the final simulation exercise. Comptroller Oshoba has reiterated and assures critical stakeholders of  the Command’s commitment to supporting the Service’s ICT-driven reforms. He therefore confirmed a smooth transition to full scanner-based cargo examination at

Apapa Port by the year 2026.