Driving Inclusive Growth. NAF, Customs Partner to Support SMEs with Faster Cargo Clearance

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have initiated a landmark collaboration to improve cargo clearing efficiency and open new opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain sector.

As part of the partnership, the Apapa Area Command of the NCS recently conducted a specialized training for personnel of the NAF’s 643 Equipment Supply Depot. The training focused on modern customs clearance procedures and hands-on use of the B’ODOGWU portal, a digital system designed to accelerate goods processing, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and enhance transparency in cargo handling.

Officials explained that the integration of digital systems into customs operations is expected to significantly reduce delivery timelines, lower logistics costs, and improve predictability in the movement of goods. For SMEs operating in logistics and defense-related supply chains—ranging from equipment suppliers to contractors and service providers—this represents a major opportunity to expand their operations, access new contracts, and strengthen their competitiveness in the market.

The partnership underscores the Federal Government’s broader drive for digital transformation and inter-agency collaboration across trade, logistics, and defense sectors. Beyond improving operational synergy between the Air Force and Customs, the initiative is also seen as a catalyst for boosting investor confidence and promoting ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Industry observers note that by making cargo clearance faster and more transparent, the collaboration will not only strengthen Nigeria’s trade ecosystem but also empower MSMEs to scale their businesses in both domestic and international markets.