Nigeria Customs, TMPL Begin Testing Newly Acquired Cargo Scanners in China Ahead of Deployment

By Aminat Damilola, Assistant Editor

A team of experts from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL) has completed a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the newly acquired Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment and Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) in China ahead of its deployment into the country.

Led by DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, a Nigeria Customs team spent two weeks (October 9–20, 2026) in China verifying advanced scanners and cargo-tracking tools at Nuctech Company Limited.

The systems will work together to boost real-time tracking and port inspections.

During the test, DCG Adebakin reaffirmed Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi’s commitment to leveraging technology for trade facilitation, revenue optimization, and national security. She emphasized that the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) is a vital quality assurance process, ensuring that all scanners and tracking systems meet contractual and global operational standards before being shipped to Nigeria.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi, is committed to ensuring that we deploy only cutting-edge, fit-for-purpose technology that will fast-track cargo examination, reduce dwell time, and enhance our ability to detect concealments and prohibited items, improve revenue generation, as well as facilitate legitimate trade”, CG Adebakin said.

For his part, the Acting Comptroller, Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII), Deputy Comptroller of Customs Umar Madugu, noted that deploying the new scanners and ECTS will significantly reduce the need for 100% physical examination, minimise human contact, curb cargo diversion, and improve efficiency across Customs formations.

Speaking on behalf of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, the company’s General Manager, Bamidele Chinedu, described the FAT as a milestone in implementing the TMP, stressing that integrating NII scanners and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System is central to achieving a transparent, technology-driven Customs system.

Also speaking, Niu Chao, Project Manager, Nuctech Company Limited, China, expressed the company’s commitment to delivering world-class equipment, technical support, capacity building, and after-sales services.

During the exercise, technical experts from both NCS and TMPL were also trained to handle, operate, and maintain the scanners and the ECTS to ensure seamless deployment and sustainability in Nigeria.