Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has advanced its automation reforms with the sensitization of stakeholders on the newly launched Customs Verification Management System, CVMS, a digital platform designed to strengthen vehicle verification and compliance across the country.
In a statement issued to newsmen, signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, CSC Tahir Balarabe, the Command said the training was held at the Abdullahi Dikko Inde CFR Conference Hall in Kano to deepen understanding of the platform among key actors in the automotive business chain.
The session was facilitated by officers from the NCS Headquarters ICT Modernisation Department, led by Deputy Comptroller Labaran Ahmed, in collaboration with Afripoint Consultants Limited, developers of the CVMS. Participants were drawn from motor dealers associations in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, ANLCA, MAN and KACCIMA.
Deputy Comptroller Ahmed, who serves as the National Coordinator of the CVMS, said the system provides a simple and accessible method for verifying the status of all vehicles entering Nigeria, requiring only a Vehicle Identification Number, VIN.
He added that its user friendly features and web compatibility make it a superior tool for promoting compliance.
“The CVMS gives us the capability to verify the status of every vehicle that enters Nigeria. With just a VIN, the system confirms its authenticity and generates a downloadable receipt with confirmed details and a QR code,” he said.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, applauded the initiative and urged participants to extend knowledge of the platform to the wider public to strengthen compliance and trade facilitation.
“My appeal is that whatever knowledge we gain today should be shared widely and accurately so that more business owners and prospective car buyers can benefit from the platform,” he said.
The training also featured a practical demonstration, with some participants verifying the status of their vehicles in real time and receiving instant digital receipts, while misconceptions and concerns were addressed during an interactive session.
The Chairman of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, AMDN, Kano State Chapter, Alhaji Madugu Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the Customs Service, pledging the association’s readiness to adhere to established guidelines on vehicle importation.
