Customs Innovations To Aid FG’s N1 Trillion GDP Target
. Tinubu Says Absence Of Comprehensive Data Hindered Nigeria’s Growth For Too Long
By Abimbola Abdullahi
The innovative interventions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been described as a major driver in the attainment of the Federal Government’s agenda to hit N1 trillion mark in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), by 2030.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared this at the on-going Comptroller General of Customs Conference 2023 (CGC Conference) of the NCS in Lagos. The Confab is themed:” Leveraging Data Analytics for Secure and Efficient Trade Facilitation in Customs Operations”
Sanwo-Olu, who felt elated that Lagos State contributed about 70 percent of Customs revenue, said, “We just don’t want to contribute 70 cents of revenue, we want to grow more, and more infrastructures are coming”.
Mr. Vice President? You know, too well, that, Mr. President has set an agenda that all of us, even sub-nationals have bought into, for the country to achieve a 1 trillion GDP between now and the year 2030 is a daunting one and is a very serious business.
But, we know with the Nigeria Customs, that conversation is realizable. We’ll discuss this over and over again. That we cannot rely on a mono-products called oil alone. We need to be able to diversify and think out of the box. I believe that’s what Nigeria Customs is doing here today. They know too well that they are very strategic to the pronouncement of Mr. President, they’re very critical to the economic sustainability of our country.
They are very critical to revenue generation, in a manner of efficiency, in a manner that users of your service appreciate and understand that you are bringing value to them. You’re not just asking them to pay, but you are creating and you’re realizing value for them.
“I will assure you that Lagos will continue to create that enabling environment for you to grow well. We just don’t want to contribute 70 cents of revenue, we want you to grow more, because you will recall the former president has commissioned the Lekki deep seaport and I’m sure you are aware that there’s also another plan for the Badagry seaport.
“We want to make Lagos ready for you. We want to create infrastructure that will make Custom services seamless, that will make the men that are running across them know that indeed, Lagos is home for you,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended the ambitions of Customs to accumulate vast troves of data and utilize that analytics as a public service system that upholds data integrity.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice-Presdent, Kashim Shettima, said the absence of comprehensive data has been a technological affliction that has hindered not just Nigeria but the entire continent’s growth trajectory for too long.
“This inadequacy has impeded our ability to make informed decisions perpetuating a cycle of missed opportunities, and sub-optimal outcomes,”
This, he said prompted Mr. President’s strategic placement of tech savvy Nigerians in critical positions in the government to ensure that not only strategic planning, but also the contribution of Nigeria as a hub of refined minds in the global knowledge economy.
“Even before were given this mandate, we knew that every facet of our lives is worn with data. We will not only coming to the brain data to make decisions within the government, but to address the historic and enable adequacies of Nigerian policymaking often impeded by a lack of comprehensive data. Our current governance landscape demands a transformative intervention and the solution is what brought us here together today,” he said.
Appreciating the Customs’ move, he said “Data provide the sharpest lens for us to connect the dots even in establishing the security of our borders. We can easily determine the traffic of people and goes around a specific border and share indisputable information with other nations with just a punch on our computers.
“I assure you that the President remains reasonable and is believed that Nigeria is unequivocally on track, not only to accumulate terabytes of factual service, but also to establish a robust public service system and upholds data integrity,” he said.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said: “Customs is a formidable diagram of our nation’s economic interest, adapting to the ever evolving landscape of global trade, beyond its traditional role of safeguarding borders.
“Customs has evolved into a vital catalyst for economic growth and development in this era, characterized by relentless change. Customs emerges as a paragon of resilience and adaptability, eagerly embracing technology and global best practice to remain at the forefront of its mission and standing at a crossroad of innovation, and tradition.
“We deeply recognize and appreciate the quarter role that NCS is playing in sculpting the intricate economic panorama of our nation. It serves as a profound symbol emblematic of our unwavering commitment to excellence, efficiency, and adaptability in the face of ever evolving challenges.
“And as we navigate the complex intersection of tradition, and progress, its dedication resonates in shaping our economic landscape is not merely an organization, maintaining the highest standards or a dynamic force, propelling us into future where innovation seamlessly harmonizes with our established values,” he said.
Adeniyi said the conference is a dynamic avenue for practical suggestions and constructive feedback by bridging the gap between policies and implementation.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended the Customs for the giant stride achieved so far in this administration, urging the to further adopt technology and data analytics techniques in their operations.
Ooni however urged the Federal Government to make Lagos a special economic zone, enjoining all stakeholders to work towards the betterment of Lagos.
