The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a new digital verification platform designed to combat vehicle smuggling, enhance transparency, and strengthen accountability in the nation’s automobile importation process.
The platform, known as the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), was officially unveiled at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as part of the Service’s broader drive toward digital transformation and operational efficiency.
Speaking during the launch, Adeniyi described the initiative as a significant milestone in the Service’s modernization agenda, saying it would eliminate loopholes that have long plagued vehicle clearance procedures.
“For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods that left room for misinformation, fraud, and revenue leakages.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 partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and local technology experts, the CVMS offers a secure, centralised, and transparent platform where Nigerians can instantly verify the authenticity of imported vehicles.
According to Adeniyi, the system will drastically reduce the circulation of smuggled and improperly cleared vehicles while helping the government recover billions in lost revenue.
“This new solution empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our Service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust,” he said.
“Anyone who invests millions of naira in a vehicle would not hesitate to pay ₦15,000 to verify its authenticity and ensure their investment is protected.”
Payments for verification, he added, can be made using any valid debit or credit card issued by Nigerian or international financial institutions, with instant results generated upon completion.
The platform also establishes a centralised vehicle database, enabling Customs officers and partner agencies to trace and confirm vehicle details within minutes, thereby enhancing coordination and operational speed.
Driving Digital Reform in Revenue Operations
Adeniyi emphasised that the CVMS aligns with the Service’s broader digital reform strategy, which focuses on simplifying clearance processes, improving data-driven decision-making, and increasing 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.
Dealers Back the Initiative
Reacting to the development, the National President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON), Ajibola Adedoyin, commended the Customs Service for introducing the CVMS, describing it as a positive step toward sanitising the automobile trade.
Adedoyin assured that AMDON members would adopt the new platform after conducting their independent assessment, noting that digital verification would ultimately protect both dealers and buyers from fraudulent vehicle transactions.
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