The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced an automated clearance system for overtime cargoes and extended the clearance window to 120 days in a bid to enhance trade facilitation across the country.

Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs, announced the development on Monday at a sensitisation programme held in Lagos for stakeholders on the new system. The stakeholders included consignees, brokers, terminal operators, and customs officials from Zone ‘A’.

According to Adeniyi, the initiative is designed to tackle delays associated with abandoned consignments and reduce the number of extension requests, which currently make up nearly half of daily correspondence to his office.

“We have created a help desk at the headquarters to prioritise clearance of project cargoes belonging to government agencies,” he said. “Importation is critical to Nigeria’s economic development, and our goal is not just to generate revenue but to ensure goods reach their owners quickly and efficiently.”

‘Automation ready for deployment’

The customs chief disclosed that less than one percent of cargoes arriving at Nigerian ports in 2024 were classified as overtime. He expressed confidence that the new system would cut that figure to zero.

He also pledged continued sensitisation to ensure a seamless transition, while urging shipping companies, clearing agents, and terminal operators to provide feedback to further improve the system.

Adeniyi explained that while some consignments were deliberately abandoned, others faced delays due to network challenges. “The overtime cargo automation programme is fully developed and ready for deployment,” he said.

Assistant comptroller-general of customs, Isah Umar, said the e-clearance platform would simplify procedures, improve transparency, minimise human interference, and strengthen data integrity for both imports and exports.

He added that the system would automatically document cargo disposals and harmonise records through the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) platform.

Aliyu Abdulkadir, chief superintendent of customs, pointed out that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, overtime cargoes can be disposed of after 120 days. Perishable and inflammable goods, however, may be auctioned immediately through e-auctions or other approved means to avoid accidents.

Also speaking, Ibrahim Muhammed, assistant comptroller of customs, clarified that cargoes are classified as overtime after 30 days. If unresolved, clearance requests are escalated from the area controller to the zonal level and, ultimately, to customs headquarters. He described the new framework as transparent, efficient, and accountable.

Similarly, Muhammed Babadede, zonal coordinator of Zone ‘A,’ hailed the NCS as the most digitalised customs administration in West and Central Africa. He commended Adeniyi for pushing reforms through automation and said the innovation would further modernise port operations.

Adron Homes and Properties has announced the official launch of its Lemon Friday Plus Promo 2025, an exciting opportunity for Nigerians to own land at discounted rates while enjoying mouth-watering rewards this festive season.

This year’s edition allows customers to begin their homeownership journey with an initial deposit as low as ₦50,000 and spread payments over multiple instalments. Subscribers also enjoy a 30% discount on land purchases with the option to clear the balance conveniently over 24 months.

Adron Homes’ estates are carefully designed to provide residents with the best of modern living, featuring adequate power supply, good road networks, functional drainage systems, CCTV, 24-hour security, recreational centers, shopping malls, and green spaces that promote healthier lifestyles.

The promo covers estates across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Abuja (FCT), Nasarawa, Plateau, Osun, and Niger States, giving prospective homeowners multiple location options in rapidly developing communities.

Promo Rewards by Category:

• BRONZE (₦300,000 deposit): 25kg bag of Rice + 2 Chickens + Vegetable Oil OR Home Theatre.
• SILVER (₦500,000 deposit): A Goat OR 50kg Bag of Rice + 3 Chickens + Vegetable Oil OR Rechargeable Fan.
• GOLD (₦1,000,000 deposit): A Goat + 50kg Bag of Rice + Palm Oil + Garri Ijebu OR 2 Bags of 50kg Rice + 4 Chickens + Palm Oil + Garri OR Washing Machine.
• DIAMOND (₦3.5M deposit on estates above ₦20M before discount): A Cow OR Double-Door Fridge.

Adron Homes has consistently bridged the home ownership gap in Nigeria by introducing flexible and convenient payment plans that allow more families to become homeowners. With initiatives like Lemon Friday Plus, the company is breaking down financial barriers and creating sustainable pathways for Nigerians to secure their future through real estate.

Promo Duration

• Instalment payments for initial deposits run from 7th July to 31st November 2025.
• The promo officially ends 6th January 2026.

“The Lemon Friday Plus Promo is our way of making December unforgettable for our customers,” said Adron Homes’ management. “We are not only offering affordable land ownership, but also giving families gifts that make the festive season brighter.”

Adron Homes invites all aspiring homeowners, investors, and families to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity to own property with flexible payment plans and rewarding bonuses.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is set to make a bold statement on the global stage as it will be gathering world leaders, policymakers, and investors and other private sector players at the forthcoming 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

This year’s gathering at the UNGA, which is the 80th Edition, will be held between September 15th and September 25th, and as always, UBA Group has mapped out series of engaging activities to spotlight Africa’s opportunities and foster high-level dialogue with global leaders towards boosting the continent’s potential.

A key part of the event, will be the UBA’s unveiling of a ground-breaking whitepaper that presents actionable strategies for unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential, as part of the bank’s mission to drive sustainable growth across the continent.

The whitepaper, a first-of-its-kind initiative by a leading African financial institution at UNGA, titled ‘Banking on Africa’s Future: Unlocking Capital and Partnerships for Sustainable Growth’, will highlight opportunities in trade, infrastructure, digital innovation, climate finance, and inclusive growth.

By providing a roadmap for collaboration between Africa and the global community, UBA aims to position the continent not just as a beneficiary of investment, but as a critical driver of future global prosperity.

Apart from the Whitepaper launch, other activities of the group will include the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) Roundtable to be hosted by UBA America, as well as the annual UBA Reception.

The reception will convene world leaders, policymakers, and influential business executives who will be involved in critical dialogues on investment and development across the continent.

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, emphasized the strategic importance of these dialogues, explained that over the past few years, UBA has become an active leader in conversations and activities that will drive tangible investments to the continent.

“These conversations are fundamentally different from previous discussions because they will be followed by feasible and actionable decisions. UBA will actively work to implement these outcomes for the benefit of the continent, as committed partners in Africa’s development and sustainability,” Elumelu noted.

Continuing, he said, “’The United Nations General Assembly is the largest and most official gathering of world leaders, and we cannot let such an opportunity pass without major African players like UBA taking centre stage to bring these leaders together and showcase Africa’s potential.”

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who remarked on the upcoming event, especially the whitepaper’s significance, emphasized the need for more private organizations and players to demonstrate their commitment to the continent’s development through concrete action and proven capabilities.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.