The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has called for sustained digital transformation and a full review of bonded terminal operations as critical steps in the country’s fight against cartels, smuggling, and revenue evasion.
The group also threw its weight behind the reform efforts of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, praising his bold stance on port automation, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.
In its latest bulletin, signed by its Head of Research, Dr Eugene Nweke, SEREC described the Customs’ shift toward digital operations and automated processes as a “game-changing” solution to the entrenched corruption and criminal networks undermining Nigeria’s international trade.
“Cartels thrive in opacity. Port automation, stakeholder engagement, and transparent trade facilitation are essential to break the jinx. Sustaining digital transformation in customs administration is not optional—it is a critical component in the war against smuggling and revenue evasion,” Nweke said.
The Centre pointed to the growing use of bonded terminals as smuggling routes, particularly for illicit pharmaceutical imports. According to SEREC, some terminals have been hijacked by “merchants of death”, criminal syndicates in collusion with licensed customs agents and insiders within regulatory agencies who use these facilities to push banned substances and evade customs duty.
“The CGC has rightly vowed to revoke the licenses of bonded terminals that are complicit in smuggling. These actions must be followed by a full policy review of terminal operations across the country,” Nweke stated.
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Backed by recent seizures of illicit goods and contraband, SEREC noted that the Service has made measurable gains under Adeniyi’s leadership, citing enhanced intelligence-driven enforcement, improved inter-agency collaboration, and rising stakeholder confidence as signs of progress.
According to the research body, the CGC’s policy thrusts, centered on trade facilitation, revenue optimisation, digital transformation, and stakeholder engagement, have been described as pillars for building an efficient, transparent, and secure customs system.
SEREC identified five key areas where Customs has recorded significant impact. One is digital transformation, which the body said has curtailed manual interference and improved cargo traceability. Another is port automation, allowing for real-time tracking of cargo and disrupting smuggling operations. In the area of trade facilitation, the group noted Customs has reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, limiting the ability of cartels to exploit the system.
Revenue optimisation, according to the Centre, has also been a major achievement, boosting collections and closing off channels used for tax evasion. Lastly, it said through stakeholder engagement, the Service has built greater trust and promoted collaborative efforts with other agencies to strengthen enforcement.
But while progress is evident, SEREC stressed that more work is needed to institutionalise reforms.
“Cartels are sophisticated and adapt quickly. We must move faster with digital customs systems, real-time data analytics, and collaborative oversight,” Nweke warned.
The maritime think tank concluded with four recommendations for sustaining reform momentum including strengthening and expanding digital transformation and automation initiatives; enhancing collaboration with other regulatory bodies and intelligence agencies; conducting a comprehensive review of bonded terminal policies and procedures; and promoting transparency and accountability across all customs operations.
“We believe that through responsible partnership and sustained reforms, Nigeria can build a customs administration that protects the economy, deters smuggling, and inspires investor confidence,” Nweke added.
