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How Customs brokers misused VIN code to circumvent the policy—Tin Can CAC

Comptroller Oloyede
—–says VIN has come to stay
Eyewitness reporter.
The Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Olakunle Oloyede, has declared that deliberate misuse of code by the fright forwarders was the major challenge which the service had during the implementation of the Vehicles Identification Number (VIN) valuation policy before its withdrawal.
It could be recalled that the introduction of VIN valuation policy by the Customs sparked off an outrage among the freight forwarders who accused customs of indescriminate and arbitrary imposition of higher and unrealistic values on vehicles.
The agitations eventually made the Customs to suspend the controversial policy for fine-tuning.
However, at a recent media briefing in Lagos, Comptroller Oloyede explained that in a bid to circumvent the policy to pay lower values, clearing agents deliberately mis- applied the VIN code which caused disruptions in the customs system.
“What happened in the VIN Valuation was the misuse of the code”  the erudite risk manager stated.
“We have standard VIN and Non-Standard VIN which we created in import regime and procedures form.”We created, on standard Vin, a procedure code 4000 000

“For Non- Standard VIN, we created 4000 846.

“Standard VIN has 17 digits while Non-Standard VIN  has less or more.

“We know vehicles coming in from China or Europe come with less 17 digits.

“So to accommodate all types of VINs, we need two VINs.

“But the agents, being what they are, they were using 846 code, by either reducing  a digit from the 17 or putting a dot or a slash.

“As a risk manager at the headquarters,  we profiled the declarations they made because anytime we deploy a solution, we expect a feedback of either a negative or positive.

“That will allow us to update, upgrade or fine tune the system.

“But we didn’t have a feedback of either negative ot positive. We later found out, during the risk profile of about 7,000 declarations , we found out that there was a misuse of code.

“It was as a result of that misuse and to correct it that I was brought here.

“When I explained this things to them(agents), they later agreed with me. They even have a problem with value” he declared.

Comptroller Oloyede however said that the much vilified policy has come to stay because it is the norm all over the world in the automation of customs processes.
“I can authoritatively tell you that VIN valuation is going no where.

“It is part of the destructive technologies  we are talking about that will aid trade facilitation.

“We are talking about biometrics, we are talking about artificial intelligence, we are talking about scanners, we are talking about machineries and a whole lot of things.

“VIN valuation is one of them and it is used all over the world which allows you to trace stolen vehicles.

“Most times,INTERPOL will write to us.

“Once you put the VIN, it will give you the history of the vehicle.

“The next stage of VIN Valuation is V- REG. VIN Valuation is a very small part of V-Registration.

“Those who are in charge of V-Reg wanted to take the valuation aspect,when I was in Abuja but we said no, Valuation belongs to Customs.That was why we developed VIN Valuation”

He however acknowledged that the policy has its flaws.
According to him, the customs authority later discovered that the VIN system does not accommodate 10 per cent depreciation level of vehicles, hence the reason why it was suspended for fine-tuning.
“Along the line, we found out that the 10 per cent depreciation was not included, that is why we pulled it down.”Before we bring it up again, we will do enough public enlightment.

“When we did the last one, we had Webinar but our people(Agents) are not with us when it comes to ICT”

The Customs Chief further disclosed that the service will keep improving on the policy until it gets to near perfection.
“We keep at it until we get it perfectly.”When you are developing a solution, you don’t get 100 per cent accuracy, if you get 65 percent to 75 percent, you leave the rest  to update and  upgrade.

“That is how a solution works. No perfect solution. There must be a gap for update and upgrade.
But the policy has come to stay.
“Vin Valuation policy is the fiscal policy of government. It has come to stay” he concluded.

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Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious
trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.
Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.
The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.
Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.
 “For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.
He said the feat was a reflection of
the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.
Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.
 He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.
These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.
Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.
The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very  credible information shared by the CGC.
In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.
Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
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Customs

Apapa Customs, Navy deepen partnership for seamless cargo movement along Apapa port corridor 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Customs Area Controller (CAC),
Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has solicited sustained support of the Western Naval Command to ensure seamless cargo movement along the Apapa port corridor.
Comptroller Oshoba made the call on  Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, while on a courtesy visit to Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command.
The visit was meant to deepen operational collaboration in line with the three policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Speaking during the visit, the CAC stated: “The CGC has three key policy thrusts.
” The first is consolidation. On assuming duty, I resolved to consolidate on the gains already achieved and improve the existing relationship between Apapa Command and the Nigerian Navy within this axis.”
On collaboration, he noted that modern border management requires agencies to work in tandem, adding: “While Customs is known for trade facilitation and revenue generation, we also perform critical security functions.
“To achieve this mandate, we must collaborate with the military, the mother of security.”
On innovation, he added: “Innovation is doing things differently to achieve better results and strengthening inter-agency cooperation is part of that approach.”
He appreciated the Navy for securing Nigeria’s waters, stating: “No vessel can come into the country without safe waters.
” We commend you for keeping the maritime environment secure.”
In his response, Rear Admiral Mustapha acknowledged the longstanding partnership between both agencies, emphasizing: “Port security is about inter-agency and coordination. Without security, there is no development.”
He commended the Service under CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for its performance, noting: “The Customs has done exceptionally well in blocking revenue leakages and surpassing national revenue targets.
“Continue what you are doing; with more revenue, there will be more infrastructure and social safety network for the country.”
The FOC assured the Command of improved and seamless cooperation in securing the maritime domain and supporting national economic growth.
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Customs

Customs automates acquisition, renewal of licenses, permits to enhance efficiency, revenue boost.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
In order to consolidate the automation of its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service, has concluded preparations to automate the process of Licenses, Permits acquisition and renewal.
To achieve this landmark initiative, the Service has trained  its bond officers of various area commands who will drive the process.
While unveiling the automation process to stakeholders in Lagos on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, the Comptroller – General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative was driven by the desire of the Customs management to make licenses and permits acquisition and renewal less cumbersome, promote ease of doing business and boost revenue generation.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by Comptroller NJ Anozie, further expanded the benefits of the automation process.
“Automation will save importers, clearing and forwarding agents the stress of acquiring or renewing their Licenses and Permits as they would be sitting in the comfort of their offices/homes to initiate and complete the process.
“Officers and  men of License and Permit Unit, the bond seat unit of various Commands will also be saved some stress, as all their responsibilities would just be ‘clicks’ on the systems in front of their desks, as opposed to carrying loads of files from one table to another and from one office to the other.
“Automation will cut the cost of doing business and minimize movement risks for our stakeholders.
“They would no longer be jumping on buses or flights to and fro Customs Headquarters-Abuja, paying hotel bills plus feeding for days, to obtain or renew their licenses and permits.
“Automation will minimize, if not eradicate fraudulent practices in the system, as every single document that is uploaded in the course of this process will be automatically rejected by default, if it is fake and accepted if it is genuine.
 “L&P can now view assessments through the B’Odogwu to be sure that any company applying for fresh or renewal of licences or permits is not having unpaid assessments hanging on it”
The Customs boss said he was poised to sanitize the system and urged the Licences and Permits unit of the Service to be passionate in driving this initiative.
He further disclosed that the automation process will save the importers and their agents time and money which they normally expended in manual process.
Adeniyi urged the stakeholders to take advantage of this new initiative, assuring them that they would adequately be guided on how to key into the system by the bond officers who have already been trained.
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