In a landmark step toward modernising its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday officially launched the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) — a new digital platform that allows Nigerians to verify the clearance and duty payment status of imported vehicles in real time.

The platform, unveiled at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, curbing smuggling, and improving service efficiency.

“This platform redefines how vehicle verification is conducted across Nigeria,” Adeniyi said. “For years, outdated systems left room for fraud, revenue leakage, and frustration. CVMS now introduces a simple, seamless, and secure way to verify a vehicle’s duty status — accessible from anywhere in the world.”

Developed Through Public-Private Partnership

The CVMS was developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and Afripoint Consult, an indigenous tech firm, as part of the NCS’s digital transformation strategy. The platform, which has been in trial mode for two months, is now fully operational.

Users can verify vehicle clearance by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and paying a ₦15,000 verification fee using any local or international debit or credit card.

“This is a homegrown solution to a long-standing problem,” Adeniyi said. “It empowers the public, importers, and dealers with verifiable data while eliminating manual bottlenecks and inconsistencies in our internal operations.”

Empowering Citizens, Supporting Enforcement

Adeniyi highlighted that the CVMS will democratise access to verified customs data, giving buyers and importers the confidence to transact with certainty and reducing fraud linked to fake customs papers.

“For the public, it brings transparency and ease of access. For our officers, it means smarter, faster, and more accountable customs operations,” he added.

He also noted that the platform supports the federal government’s broader digital agenda and will strengthen enforcement by providing officers with real-time data and analytics to detect anomalies and improve decision-making.

A Tool for Dealers and Law Enforcement

Ajibola Adetula, Managing Director of Afripoint Consult, described the CVMS as a “bifocal platform” serving both the public and customs officers.

“It allows users to confirm vehicle clearance instantly, while also helping enforcement agents verify documents, even outside working hours,” he said.

The platform is integrated with the NCS vehicle clearance database dating back to 2017, ensuring historical records are accessible and verifiable.

A Welcome Relief for Auto Dealers

Also present at the launch was Ajibola Adedoyin, Chairman of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, who called the system a long-overdue innovation.

“For years, we’ve asked for a reliable system to confirm clearance and reduce harassment of legitimate dealers. This gives us proof we can stand by when issues arise,” he said.

Part of a Broader Modernisation Drive

The CVMS is part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s 20-year Trade Modernisation Project, which seeks to improve trade facilitation, increase revenue, and reduce corruption in the customs process through automation and private sector collaboration.

It also comes amid growing concerns over fake customs documents and smuggled vehicles, which have led to revenue losses and frequent disputes between customs officers and dealers.

With CVMS, the NCS aims to close loopholes, restore public trust, and support the federal government’s goal of achieving a fully automated border and trade management system by 2030.

The launch marks another milestone in Customs’ journey towards digital transformation — ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability across Nigeria’s import and vehicle verification processes.