WCO, NCS, JICA Launch First Master Trainer Programme on Geospatial Intelligence in West Africa

As part of a significant move to strengthen border security and improve regional capacity, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has launched the first-ever WCO Expert Master Trainer Programme on Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) in West Africa.

The week-long programme commenced on 2 June 2025 in Abuja, drawing participants from Customs administrations across the region. The training aims to equip officers with the technical know-how to deploy geospatial technologies for mapping, analysing, and monitoring border activities.

Declaring the programme open, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of leveraging cutting-edge technology to boost trade security and combat transnational crimes such as smuggling and trafficking.

According to him, "What we are witnessing today is the fruition of nearly a decade of sustained collaboration, innovation and capacity building. I wish to commend both WCO and JICA for providing us with the opportunity to emerge as one of the leading Customs administrations in fostering GEOINT capacity within our region."

He continued, "This recognition comes with both pride and responsibility, as we continue to serve as a model for other Customs Administrations seeking to enhance their border management capabilities. As transnational trade continues to expand exponentially, criminals demonstrate increasing ingenuity in evading technology within Customs Operations.

The complexities of the modern supply chain, coupled with sophistication of criminal methods operating across multiple jurisdictions demand equally sophisticated response mechanisms."

WCO representative, Motohiro Fujimitsu, hailed the initiative as a game-changer for managing fragile borders in West Africa, while JICA Chief Representative, Yuzurio Susumu, expressed Japan’s commitment to helping Nigeria and the region build resilient and modern border control systems through geospatial intelligence.

Delivering the vote of thanks at the training session, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dera Nnadi, from the Strategic Research and Policy Department, urged participants to make full use of the training to protect their various borders.

Comments

NAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Extortion, Harassment by Maritime Police at Lagos Ports

The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over alleged unlawful conduct, extortion, intimidation, harassment and obstruction of trade by officers of the Maritime Police Command operating around Nigerian seaports. The petition, dated August 14, 2026 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at Force Headquarters, Abuja, specifically identified the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa; Tin-Can Island Port and other designated port locations, including bonded terminals, as areas where the alleged misconduct is taking place. In the petition, which was signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, the National Coordinator of 100% Compliance Team, NAGAFF described the situation as a growing impediment to trade facilitation and a factor contributing to the rising cost of doing business in Nigeria. According to the association, freight forwarding practitioners have, over a sustained period, repo...

NCS Seizes 13 Containers of Unwholesome Imports

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command has intercepted 13 containers with over 7.6 tonnes of cannabis sativa, 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, security-sensitive drones and large quantities of expired consumer and pharmaceutical products. The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Apapa Area Command in the presence of the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba and heads of other sister agencies earlier today, 10th September, 2026, according to CGC, the seized consignments have a combined duty-paid value of ₦43.59 billion. He said the seizures were made as a result of sustained intelligence-led operations supported by enhanced cargo profiling, risk assessment, documentary scrutiny and targeted physical examination. "The containers behind me are not an isolated event and they should not be reported as one; the Service’s mandate extends beyond revenue c...

Lekki Port Manager Thrilled As AMJON Awards Him Most Resourceful Port Manager ‎

‎"I want to thank the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and his management team for giving me the opportunity to serve. Working in the kind of environment where I found myself requires great teamwork and as you can see around me now, I have my very efficient team always with me and so I am very proud to have this team. I also give glory to God for everything including the recognition that I got today" ‎ ‎Above are some of the emotions that pervaded the atmosphere as the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) held its 2026 Conference and Awards with the theme: Attaining Ports Efficiency In The Face Of Emerging Technology". ‎ ‎The Conference and Awards took place on Thursday, April 30th 2026 at the Rockview hotels, Apapa with big industry players in attendance. The occasion which was chaired by the cerebral Barr. Jean Chiazor-Anishere delved succinctly into what are required to make the Nigerian Ports more efficient. ‎ ‎In her opening ...

Maritimegistplus

Search This Blog