Customs Drives AI-Powered Revenue Reform, Seeks Stronger Alliance with Banks, Auditors, NASS

.CGC Adewale Bashir Adeniyi,

Adeniyi Pushes Stakeholder Synergy to Strengthen Transparency and Plug Revenue Leakages

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its push for an AI-driven transformation of revenue generation, remittance, and reconciliation, calling for stronger collaboration with critical stakeholders, including collecting banks, external auditors, and the National Assembly (NASS).

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the call on Monday in Abuja at the opening of a high-level training programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven revenue systems. The training was organised for stakeholders across the Customs operational and oversight ecosystem.

Adeniyi emphasised that revenue administration is a complex, multi-layered system that extends beyond Customs operations to include financial institutions, auditors, policy bodies, and legislative oversight authorities.

He noted that effective coordination among these actors is crucial to achieving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public financial management.

According to him, there has been a shift from traditional oversight practices—where legislative bodies primarily summon agencies for explanations—to a more collaborative framework that encourages proactive engagement.

The Customs boss highlighted the growing role of technology in transforming operations, particularly through advanced risk management systems that support trade monitoring, fraud detection, and analysis of global trade patterns.

He explained that these tools have significantly enhanced the Service’s ability to understand international trade flows and improve decision-making across key sectors of the economy.

Adeniyi added that the integration of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and advanced data systems is further strengthening operations, especially in scanning, risk profiling, and trade facilitation.

He stressed that AI is not being deployed in isolation but is being embedded into existing technological frameworks to boost efficiency and accuracy.

Describing the revenue process as a long and interconnected value chain, Adeniyi said it involves multiple stakeholders—from Customs and banks to platform operators, auditors, and National Assembly committees.

“Strengthening each link in this chain is critical to ensuring leak-proof revenue collection and improved financial accountability,” he stated.

He added that the training aims to provide stakeholders with practical insights into applying AI across the revenue ecosystem to enhance coordination, transparency, and overall performance.

In her welcome address, Kikelomo Adeola, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance, Administration, and Technical Services, reiterated the Service’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

She noted that the increasing complexity of the financial environment demands stronger systems that ensure accurate revenue processes and improved institutional collaboration.

According to her, the training is designed to equip officers and stakeholders with the knowledge and strategic insight needed to harness data analytics and strengthen coordination across the revenue chain.

Also speaking, Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, said the committee’s engagement with the Nigeria Customs aligns with its constitutional mandate to ensure accountability and compliance with financial regulations.

He explained that the committee has consistently reviewed audit queries, particularly those from the Office of the Auditor-General, with a focus on strengthening institutional discipline rather than punitive measures.

Salam commended the Customs Service for its ongoing reforms and openness to innovation, noting that the adoption of AI in revenue processes would further enhance transparency and accountability.

He, however, stressed the need for sustained legislative oversight as government institutions continue to integrate emerging technologies into their operations.

The training marks another step in the Nigeria Customs Service’s broader reform agenda aimed at modernising operations, improving revenue performance, and strengthening trust in public financial management.

With AI now playing a central role, stakeholders expressed optimism that enhanced collaboration and technological integration will deliver a more transparent, efficient, and accountable revenue system for the country.