The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) held a one-day sensitisation and training programme for car dealers and other stakeholders on the newly introduced Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) at the Federal Operations Unit Zone B auditorium in Kaduna.
Declaring the event open, deputy comptroller Labaran Ahmed, team lead for the sensitisation exercise, said the Service was undergoing what he described as a “remarkable transformation” under Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi.
According to him, the CVMS is one of the major digital reforms “aimed at enhancing operational integrity and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders.”
Mr Ahmed said the system introduces two major improvements that will redefine vehicle duty verification.
“The first improvement is simplification, it streamlines the entire process of confirming vehicle duty status by eliminating manual checks and reducing the need for multiple office visits,” he said.
He added that the second improvement is accessibility, would put verification directly in the hands of users.
“Verification is now closer to end users. You can confirm duty status anywhere, anytime, from your phone or computer,” he explained.
Mr Ahmed said the platform would reduce stress associated with vehicle clearance, minimise errors, and ensure that stakeholders rely on “accurate, up-to-date information” for decision-making.
CVMS as tool for transparency, tccountability
Delivering remarks on behalf of the zonal coordinator, Comptroller Abubakar Alkali, the Revenue Comptroller said the CVMS aligns fully with the comptroller-general’s innovation agenda and ongoing reforms within the NCS.
He described the platform as a “critical tool for improving transparency, accountability and ease of doing business in the automobile sector.”
According to him, the system will support genuine dealers by helping verify authentic duty payments, eliminate fake documents, curb smuggling and safeguard government revenue.
He urged participants to engage actively and collaborate with the Service to ensure successful implementation.
Dealers Praise Customs for Engagement
Chairman of the Car Dealers Association, Kaduna chapter, Aminu Dankakalo, commended the NCS for what he called a strong commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement.
“This was a highly impactful and well-delivered training session,” he said.
Dankakalo thanked members for their active contributions, noting that their participation demonstrates the initiative’s importance to sustaining the automobile business in Kaduna and beyond.
The sensitisation programme featured detailed presentations, system demonstrations and interactive discussions to guide participants through the features and benefits of the new digital verification platform.
