ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service is partnering the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) in curbing the massive flow of illegal drugs, arms and ammunition into the West Africa region.
In an exclusive interview with the Voice of America (VOA) correspondent Chinedu Offor, on July 23, 2024, it was revealed that the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi held talks in Washington DC with officials from the CBP to address the sailing issue.
The talks was part of his commitment to enhance operations in the face of increasing gang sophistication.
To him, “Earlier in the week, I was in San Diego for a conference on the use of geospatial intelligence in customs operations. Integrating and adopting tools like AI and geospatial intelligence were central to our discussions with the CBP. I am excited that in the days ahead, we will begin to reap the benefits of the engagement”.
On the assurance made by the United States to assist the Nigeria Customs Service in deploying AI to simplify operations, the Comptroller General noted that experience will be shared to identify what works for the Country and the region and what does not. “Also needed assessment will be conducted to determine our priorities,” he stated.
Speaking on the removal of Tariffs on food as pronounced by President Bola Tinubu inorder to address food crisis in the Country, CGC Adeniyi noted that the President is empowered by the Nigeria Customs Service 2023 to determine and vary tariffs on imported goods to help reduce food inflation in Nigeria.
The Customs boss further emphasised that the service will not relent its efforts in trailing cartels who engaged in illicit importation of drugs, arms, and ammunition through Nigeria’s ports. “We will continue to deploy intelligence-driven solutions to combat this menace,” he said.
