The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has introduced a new Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) — a digital tool designed to make cargo movement safer, improve revenue collection, and support smoother trade across Nigeria’s ports.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Tunde Ayagbalo, announced the development in a statement released on Wednesday. He explained that the pilot phase began on November 5, 2025, with a container shipped from Apapa to the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, marking the first real-time use of the new system.

A Step Toward Modern, Secure Trade

During the launch, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, described the ECTS as a major innovation that allows continuous, real-time tracking of cargo from its starting point to its destination.

He said the system uses electronic seals and handheld devices to monitor containers, ensuring transparency, preventing tampering, and stopping goods from being diverted during transit.

According to Oshoba, Apapa is the first command to test the system before it is rolled out nationwide. He noted that the technology will greatly reduce the need for physical escorts, as officers can now monitor cargo digitally.

Oshoba also praised the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for driving reforms that promote automation and innovation within the service. He added that the ECTS has already been adopted in several other countries, and as the current Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Adeniyi has ensured that Nigeria keeps pace with global customs standards.

How the System Works

Aondona Fanyam, Head of the B’Odogwu Implementation Unit at Apapa Command, explained that containers tracked under the ECTS remain sealed until they reach their destination, where authorised officers can unlock them.

He said there are three secure unlocking options:

1. Remote unlocking through the central control system.
2. Local unlocking with an approved handheld device operated by trained officers.
3. Physical unlocking using a special card designed for use at the destination.

“These layers of access control prevent unauthorised tampering or diversion,” Fanyam said. “The combination of remote monitoring, handheld verification, and physical unlocking helps protect cargo integrity and strengthens both security and revenue protection.”

Training for Smooth Implementation

Superintendent Rosemary Ebele Wenceslas, Team Leader of the ECTS training unit, said 12 officers have been trained to operate the system during the pilot phase. The team includes officers from the Rapid Response Unit of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A in Ikeja and the Enforcement Team of the Apapa Area Command.

She noted that the officers underwent intensive training to ensure they understand how to operate the new devices efficiently. All standard procedures for the ECTS have been clearly defined to support smooth implementation.

“With the training and technical skills they have gained, the officers are fully ready to manage and monitor cargo under the ECTS,” Wenceslas said. “This will help achieve the system’s goal of better cargo security, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation.”

The Role of Apapa Command

The Apapa Area Command operates from Lagos, home to Nigeria’s busiest seaport and a key hub for the country’s maritime trade. Often called the gateway to Nigeria’s economy, Apapa handles a large share of import and export activities.

Under the leadership of its Area Controller, the command plays a major role in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling enforcement. In recent years, it has achieved record revenue results while continuing to strengthen border security and improve efficiency at the ports.

The introduction of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System marks another important step toward a smarter, safer, and more transparent trade environment in Nigeria. If the pilot phase succeeds, the system could soon be rolled out across all ports, setting a new standard for customs operations nationwide.