By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a capacity-building programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven revenue generation, remittances and reconciliation as part of efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency in public financial management.
The training, held in Abuja, brought together senior Customs officers, technology experts and representatives of legislative oversight committees, a statement said on Tuesday.
The participation of lawmakers and Customs officials reflects growing collaboration between the Service and the National Assembly to strengthen accountability and adopt modern technological solutions in public administration.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service remains committed to improving transparency in public accounting by adopting innovative technologies.
“We are united in our resolve to ensure transparency in public accounting. Technology continues to evolve and plays an important role in strengthening our operations. It has also helped us better understand patterns in international trade,” he said.
The CGC expressed optimism about the opportunities Artificial Intelligence offers to improve Customs operations, while noting that the Service operates within a broader national and international trade value chain.
“We want to reap the benefits of Artificial Intelligence collectively. I encourage participants to actively engage the facilitators, ask questions and take full advantage of the training,” he added.
In her welcome address, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Kikelomo Adeola, described the programme as both timely and strategic.
“This training reflects our commitment to national development. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a concept of the future; it is a technology we must embrace to strengthen our systems,” she said.
