By Amina Ojelabi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled a new Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) a groundbreaking digital platform designed to curb vehicle smuggling, enhance transparency, and promote accountability in the automobile importation process.
The system, launched on Monday at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, marks a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernization drive.
CGC Adeniyi described the CVMS as a transformative step that closes long-standing loopholes in the verification of imported vehicles.
“For years, verification relied on fragmented and outdated methods that left room for misinformation, fraud, and revenue leakages. The launch of this system is another score on the board for our bold transformation agenda,” he said.
Developed in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and local technology experts, the platform provides a secure, transparent, and user-friendly process for vehicle verification accessible to the public.
According to Adeniyi, the CVMS will drastically reduce the circulation of smuggled or improperly cleared vehicles while strengthening revenue generation and public confidence in Customs operations.
“Anyone who invests millions of naira in a vehicle would not hesitate to pay ₦15,000 to verify its authenticity and protect their investment,” the Customs boss explained.
He added that payments can be made using valid debit or credit cards issued by financial institutions in Nigeria or abroad, with instant verification results generated through a centralized database.
The CVMS, Adeniyi said, will enable users to trace, verify, and confirm vehicle details in real time, improving operational efficiency across Customs formations and promoting inter-agency collaboration.
“This system brings openness to an area previously shrouded in uncertainty and manipulation. Across all our operations, we are deploying innovative, technology-driven solutions to simplify processes and boost transparency,” he emphasized.
Speaking on behalf of TMP Chairman, Dr. Jummai Umar-Ajijola, the Managing Director of the Project commended the Customs leadership for its commitment to digital transformation, describing the CVMS as a bold leap toward an ICT-driven future.
“The TMP remains committed to supporting the Service in achieving its modernization vision and enhancing stakeholder confidence,” Dr. Umar-Ajijola affirmed.
The National President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON), Mr. Ajibola Adedoyin, also lauded the initiative, assuring that members of the association would adopt the system after an independent assessment.
“Once the benefits are clear, 90 per cent of our members will be among the first to key into it,” Adedoyin stated.
The introduction of the VIN-based verification process under the CVMS enables importers, car dealers, and vehicle owners to confirm authenticity, origin, and duty payment status in real time — a move expected to redefine vehicle clearance and ownership verification in Nigeria.
With this innovation, the Nigeria Customs Service reaffirms its commitment to accountability, transparency, and digital transformation within the nation’s trade and transport ecosystem.
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