THE Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, have concluded plans to deploy smart technology to the nation’s border towns with a view to improving cross border trade and security.

Speaking at the recently concluded West Africa border security week, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, said that the concept of border security is fast evolving, and has become more critical with its impact felt on trans-border trade, migration and associated challenges like crime and criminal tendencies
Adeniyi also said that Nigeria Customs Service as a lead agency in border management at the seaport, airport and land border through its various ongoing modernization initiatives otherwise called e-customs, is bringing international best practices to its operations adding that the initiative is with a blend of human and technological interface for efficient border management.

He stated further: “Part of the expectations of our smart border initiative when fully operational will be quick passage of passenger and goods, seamless movements from country to country for trade promotion to achieve timely delivery of raw materials and finished goods and tech backed profiling of travelers for economic data and security reasons.

“Consequently, enhancing border security across in West Africa using Smart Border Technologies is a pivotal step towards improving regional security, facilitating legitimate trade, and combating transnational threats. Smart Border Control Mechanisms can make a positive impact in the advanced surveillance, biometric identification, cyber security, artificial intelligence and automated border control system.

“However, implementing Smart Border Technologies in West Africa requires a collaborative effort from government, international organizations, and stakeholders to address the unique challenges and needs of the region”.