NCS Rolls Out Tech-Driven Vehicle Verification System to Curb Smuggling, Boost Transparency
Kathy Kyari
In a bold move to curb vehicle smuggling and seal revenue loopholes in Nigeria’s automobile importation chain, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a cutting-edge digital platform — the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), to ensure transparency, traceability, and accountability in vehicle clearance operations.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, unveiled the new verification system on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, describing it as a milestone in the Service’s modernization drive and a decisive step toward closing long-standing gaps in vehicle import verification.
“For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods that left room for misinformation, fraud, and revenue leakages. The launch of this system is another score on the board for our bold transformation agenda,” Adeniyi said.
Developed in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and local technical experts, the CVMS provides a secure, user-friendly platform that allows Nigerians to verify vehicle details online. The system, according to Adeniyi, will drastically reduce the circulation of smuggled and improperly cleared vehicles while boosting government revenue.
“This new solution empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our Service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust,” the Customs boss stated.
Highlighting the affordability and convenience of the system, Adeniyi noted, “Anyone who invests millions of naira in a vehicle would not hesitate to pay N15,000 to verify its authenticity and ensure their investment is protected.”
Payments, he padded, can be made using any valid card issued by financial institutions in Nigeria or abroad, with verification results generated instantly. The CVMS also creates a centralized database that enables vehicle details to be traced and confirmed within minutes, thereby improving efficiency across Customs formations and enhancing inter-agency coordination.
Adeniyi emphasized that the new platform aligns with the Service’s broader digital reform strategy aimed at simplifying clearance procedures, promoting data-driven operations, and improving transparency in revenue collection.
“In essence, this system brings openness to an area that was previously shrouded in uncertainty and manipulation. Across all our operations, we are deploying innovative, technology-driven solutions to simplify processes and boost transparency,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Trade Modernisation Project, Dr. Jummai Umar-Ajijola, TMP Managing Director commended the Comptroller-General for his commitment to actualizing the CVMS initiative.
“The TMP will continue to support the Service in achieving its vision for modernization and ICT-driven advancement,” she said, describing the CVMS as a bold step in leveraging technology to improve revenue generation, operational efficiency, and stakeholder confidence.
The National President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON), Ajibola Adedoyin, also praised the innovation, assuring that his members would embrace the system after an independent review.
“I can assure you that once the benefits are clear, the first people to adopt this initiative, 90 per cent of them will be our members,” Adedoyin noted.
With the introduction of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)-based verification process, the CVMS enables individuals, importers, and dealers to confirm a vehicle’s authenticity, origin, and duty payment status in real time, marking a significant leap toward transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s automotive trade ecosystem.
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