Customs

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.

Related Topics:Customs agents circumvent VIN featured

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Customs

Beer merchants panic over tax stamp policy, seeks solace from Customs

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The proposed Tax Stamp policy of the Federal government has expectedly activated panic mode among beer industry leaders who have expressed anxiety of possible escalation in the production and consumer costs if the policy is eventually implemented.

Though, there is an ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and the government to manage the economic impact of the policy, the leaders of the brewing sector had sought more clarification on the policy from the Nigeria customs service when they engaged with the Comptroller- General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, May 11th, 2026.

The brewers have come to discuss the economic impact the proposed policy will have on their brewing business.

At the roundabout discussion, Adewale had emphasised the need for credible data, inclusive consultations and sustained stakeholder engagement in Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal and regulatory reforms.

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‎Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi stressed that policy decisions affecting strategic sectors of the economy must be guided by verifiable data and a clear understanding of prevailing market realities.

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“‎We need to have a clear understanding of what constitutes illicit trade. Some of these products are legitimately manufactured in Nigeria.

“In other jurisdictions,customs administrations are already engaging in discussions around how such products find their way across borders and into unauthorised markets” the CGC stated.

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‎He further underscored the importance of accuracy and credibility in industry data presented to policymakers, noting that sound policy formulation depends on reliable information.

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‎“One thing we need to understand more clearly is where some of these estimates came from.

“When we are making policy decisions of this nature, the credibility and accuracy of data must never be in doubt,” he added.

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‎Highlighting the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts, Adeniyi noted that the NCS has continued to introduce reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and enhancing operational efficiency across the supply chain.

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‎“We have consistently introduced initiatives aimed at facilitating trade. We introduced the Advance Ruling. We introduced the Authorised Economic Operator programme.

“We also rolled out several reforms on our own initiative, not because we were under pressure, but because we recognised the need to improve trade facilitation,” he said.

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‎On the proposed tax stamp initiative, the CGC clarified that consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing and that no final decision has been reached regarding implementation.

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‎“As far as I am concerned, consultations are still ongoing. If this initiative is legitimate and beneficial, then we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are heading in the right direction,” he stated.

‎He also encouraged private-sector operators to maintain constructive engagement with relevant government agencies to ensure that any eventual policy framework balances revenue protection with industrial sustainability and economic growth.

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‎Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma, said the visit was aimed at presenting the industry’s position on the proposed tax stamp framework, which he noted has generated considerable discussion within the sector.

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‎Sharma acknowledged the importance of regulatory controls but maintained that the beer industry remains one of the most structured and highly regulated sectors in Nigeria, with limited exposure to counterfeiting risks.

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‎“We fully understand the purpose and importance of tax stamps, particularly in industries where counterfeiting is a major concern.

“However, within the beer sector, counterfeiting is minimal,” Sharma said.

‎He noted that existing compliance and monitoring systems already provide adequate visibility across production and distribution channels.

‎“From an end-to-end compliance perspective, we believe there is already sufficient transparency and oversight,” he added.

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‎Sharma also highlighted the industry’s contribution to employment generation, government revenue and economic growth, cautioning that additional regulatory measures should be carefully designed to avoid unintended impacts on the sector and the wider economy.

The 2026 tax stamp policy in Nigeria is a regulatory, security-focused, and mandatory track-and-trace system imposed by the government on excisable goods—including alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages—to curb illicit trade and bolster revenue.

The policy, aimed at reducing smuggling and counterfeiting, requires high-security physical labels or digital codes to be affixed to products.

The policy applies to excisable products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, with specialized stamps for textile imports, such as the Red vs. Green stamps.

Manufacturers must ensure compliance. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, compliance is required, and failure to stamp documents within 30 days can lead to severe penalties, including a 10% penalty fee plus interest.

While the government aims to enhance revenue, manufacturers, particularly in the brewing sector, have raised concerns that the policy could significantly diminish profitability and increase consumer prices, with potential to create 100% loss in profits if implemented as proposed.

Customs

At UNILORIN conference, Adeniyi advocates for human- driven technology for balanced developmental efforts

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation driven governance during his keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.

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‎The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.

The event attracted academics, communication experts, technology professionals, researchers, policymakers, and heads of government agencies to deliberate on the growing influence of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.

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‎In his address, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional capacity.

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‎“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” Adeniyi stated.

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‎He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already reshaped global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but actively functioning within it.

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‎According to him, government institutions must ensure that technological innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency without compromising accountability.

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‎Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience, the CGC highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.

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‎He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders have been reduced to less than eight hours.

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‎“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology delivers optimal results when guided by strong institutional values and ethical standards.

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‎Adeniyi further noted that although artificial intelligence enhances efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement.

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‎“Technology changes processes leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.

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‎The CGC also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.

He urged academic institutions to move beyond theoretical learning and play a more active role in innovation and policy development.

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‎He identified areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication strategies, and the governance of cross border data flows.

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‎Adeniyi further advocated for the development of digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, emphasising that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it serves.

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‎On the sidelines of the conference,the CGC engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, community development, and capacity building.

Customs

Oshoba, Apapa Customs boss, charges officers on discipline, revenue, trade facilitation

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has charged officers and men of the Command to intensify revenue generation, strengthen anti-smuggling operations and uphold professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

Comptroller Oshoba gave the charge during the Command’s monthly parade held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

The Area Controller emphasized the need for greater operational interventions across terminals to block revenue leakages while ensuring seamless trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance.

“Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. That is why any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated.

“Even at the gates. If a consignment is duly exited, there should be no delay at the gates,” he stated.

He also urged officers to remain accessible and professional in their dealings with stakeholders.

“You must make yourself accessible to our stakeholders and we must avoid actions capable of tarnishing the good image of the Service and the good work being done by the CGC and members of his management.

“We should not be seen as slugs in the wheels of progress,” Oshoba added.

The CAC further called for heightened vigilance against smuggling activities, especially illicit drugs and prohibited items, while warning officers against misconduct and improper dressing.

Highlight of the parade was the recognition of outstanding Officers and Units for exemplary service.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Ismail Mohammed emerged as the Most Outstanding Officer of the Month, while CSC Augustine Ondoma, ASCI Bukola Olaleye and IC Olalekan Salawu were recognized for professionalism, innovation and punctuality respectively.

Similarly, officers of APM Terminal received the Excellence Award on Enforcement, while Officers of ECO SUPPORT Terminal received the Excellence Award on Revenue Generation.

Comptroller Oshoba explained that the award initiative was introduced to encourage hard work, excellence, professionalism and healthy competition among Officers and Units of the Command.