The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is expected to lead discussions on technology, innovation and national economic security at the 2026 Maritime Training Summit of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON).
The CGC will deliver a presentation titled “An Overview of Customs Journey for National Economic Security Using Cutting-Edge Innovations” at the summit scheduled for September 4, 2026, at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
The event, which begins at 10:00 a.m., will be held under the theme, “The Power of Innovation in a Future-Ready Maritime Training Agenda.”
The summit is expected to bring together senior government officials, policymakers, regulators, maritime industry leaders, port and terminal operators, shipping companies, customs brokers, freight forwarders, academics, technology experts and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s blue economy.
AMJON said Adeniyi’s presentation would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the evolution of technology-driven customs administration and its implications for trade facilitation, revenue generation, border security and national economic development.
The Association is particularly interested in the transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service in recent years through the deployment of technology and innovative operational models.
Among the reforms expected to feature in the discussions is the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, and its synchronisation with the National Single Window initiative.
AMJON said the digital reforms have become important components of the country’s efforts to modernise customs operations, facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen revenue mobilisation.
The summit is also expected to examine other innovations introduced by the Service, including the Time Release Study, which seeks to identify bottlenecks and facilitate faster cargo clearance; the One Stop Shop initiative aimed at harmonising the operations of various units; and the deployment of drones for geospatial border surveillance.
Beyond customs modernisation, the summit will focus broadly on the human capital required to sustain innovation across Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.
AMJON said Nigeria’s coastal location and access to international maritime trade routes provide significant opportunities for economic development, but the country must develop a skilled indigenous workforce capable of effectively harnessing its maritime resources.
The maritime industry, covering ports, shipping, logistics, fisheries, offshore energy, shipbuilding and repairs, and emerging blue economy activities, requires continuous training, retraining and capacity development to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven global environment.
Consequently, participants at the summit are expected to deliberate on digital transformation, artificial intelligence and automation, maritime safety and security, emerging maritime technologies, workforce reskilling and upskilling, innovation in maritime education, port digitalisation and the development of indigenous technical expertise.
The role of government agencies, private-sector operators, training institutions and development partners in building a future-ready maritime workforce is also expected to form part of the discussions.
The event will further provide maritime journalists with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of emerging technologies, regulatory reforms and operational developments shaping the industry, with a view to improving specialised reporting and public awareness.
AMJON President, Vera Osokpo, said the summit was conceived to promote meaningful engagement on the future of maritime training and the capacity required to support Nigeria’s blue economy ambitions.
She said innovation could only deliver sustainable benefits when matched with the right human capital, stressing the need for continuous professional development across the maritime value chain.
AMJON expressed confidence that the summit would generate practical recommendations on maritime human capital development, technological innovation and capacity building, while strengthening collaboration among stakeholders in the sector.
The Association also called on relevant government agencies, private-sector organisations, financial institutions and other stakeholders to support the summit and contribute to the development of a skilled, innovative and globally competitive maritime workforce.