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 “For years, outdated systems left room for fraud, revenue leakage, and frustration.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.

Ambassador Ifenyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba,the Founder & President of the Virtuous Widows International Foundation (VWIF) has been named the recipient of the Most Impactful NGO of the Year Award, courtesy of Africa Future Leadership and Conference Awards (AFLCA).

The Africa Future Leadership Conference and Awards is an annual summit organized by Africa Future Leadership Magazine.

In a statement on Monday, AFLCA said that the award will be conferred on her during the 10th edition of the event, scheduled for Saturday, 25th October 2025 Maryland, Lagos.The statement reads: “Amb.

Ifenyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba is a visionary humanitarian, reform advocate, and the Founder & President of the Virtuous Widows International Foundation (VWIF) — a transformative organisation dedicated to empowering widows, advancing human dignity, and promoting social justice across Africa.

Having journeyed through personal loss and recovery, she turned her pain into purpose — building a movement that restores hope, skills, and independence to widows through shelter, food, vocational training, and financial empowerment programs.“Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Widows deserve dignity, not pity.” — Amb. Ifenyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba.

Beyond widowhood advocacy, she is also a global voice against xenophobia and discrimination, calling on African leaders to build unity, compassion, and equality across borders.

Her work — featured in The Sun Nigeria, AllAfrica.com, and other major platforms — continues to inspire women, youth, and reformers to lead with empathy, courage, and conviction.

Ambassador Egbosiuba’s story reflects the heartbeat of AFLCA — leadership that heals, empowers, and transforms Africa’s future. “

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) appointed Nigeria’s former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to head its Election Observation Mission for the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire this week.

In statement from ECOWAS, the election is scheduled to be held on October 25, 2025, while the observation mission will be deployed from October 19 to 29, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“As Head of Mission, Osinbajo will lead a delegation of eminent West Africans who will engage with key national stakeholders to encourage a peaceful and credible electoral process,” the statement said.

“The team will also collaborate with international and domestic observer groups to assess the conduct of the polls.”

The regional body said the deployment of the mission underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections across West Africa.

The Côte d’Ivoire election comes at a critical time for the region, where several member states are preparing for key national polls amid efforts to consolidate democratic governance