Customs automates trade licence and permit renewal processing
By Uzor Odigbo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has fully automated the process of applying for, managing, and renewing trade licences and permits, aiming to enhance ease of doing business and boost revenue generation.
The Licence and Permit System (LPS)—an online platform—simplifies and standardises procedures while eliminating longstanding bottlenecks associated with manual processing, which have resulted in revenue losses for both the government and businesses.
Speaking at a zonal sensitisation programme for stakeholders on the automation of licences and permits, held in Lagos, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, noted that stakeholders have long endured paperwork, long queues, and uncertainty under the manual system.
He explained that under the new digital platform, importers, exporters, shippers, clearing agents, and freight forwarders will no longer need to visit Customs offices or the headquarters in Abuja. Applications and renewals can now be completed entirely online from any location in real time.
Babandede added that automation will accelerate processing, allow real-time tracking of application status, and ensure fairness, consistency, and reduced risk of errors compared to manual records.
The sensitisation exercise, rolled out across all Customs zones, began in Lagos—Zone A handles the largest volume of trade—to ensure stakeholders fully understand the system ahead of full implementation.
Also speaking, the Comptroller in charge of the Licence and Permit Unit, Tariff and Trade Department, Dr. Ngozika Anozie, highlighted that automating licences and permits is essential for improving ease of doing business in the maritime sector and will significantly increase revenue generation for the NCS and the Federal Government.
