Customs College Modernises Learning Process, Replaces Paper Examinations With Computers

The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, Abuja, has commenced Computer-Based examination for Senior Course students, marking a transition from the traditional handwritten examination system to a fully digital assessment process. The development, which commenced on Monday, 11 May 2026, at the College’s e-library, forms part of the institution’s broader drive to align Customs training and academic procedures with modern technology and global professional standards. Speaking shortly after monitoring the examinations on Monday, 18 May 2026, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, described the transition as a necessary response to the evolving realities of modern Customs administration. According to him, the College, as the intellectual hub of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), cannot afford to remain tied to outdated academic processes at a time when Customs operations globally are becoming increasingly technology-driven. ACG Gaura said the old handwritten examination method created avoidable delays in assessment, especially where illegible scripts made marking difficult for directing staff. “We are now in the era of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. As the think tank of the NCS, the College must lead from the front. We cannot continue to preach technology without embracing it ourselves,” he said. The Commandant explained that under the previous system, directing staff sometimes spent several days marking examination scripts due to handwriting challenges and the volume of papers handled across syndicates. “In the past, examinations and assignments were handwritten. Some scripts came with illegible handwriting, making it difficult for the directing staff to assess them properly. Today, our students write and submit examinations electronically through the system. It is faster, more transparent and more efficient,” he added. ACG Gaura further disclosed that beyond examinations, the College has gradually integrated technology into other aspects of academic engagement, including revision sessions and virtual learning interactions conducted through digital platforms. He also stressed that sustainability remains one of the College’s strongest advantages, noting that many members of the directing staff are selected from among the institution’s top graduating students. “One important advantage we have is continuity. These officers already understand the College's vision and academic philosophy. They inherit the structure, improve on it and pass it on to the next generation,” he said. The Commandant added that character remains a major consideration in selecting directing staff, stressing that professionalism within the College extends beyond academic performance alone. “Our directing staff represent the best in learning and character. An officer may be brilliant academically, but if the character does not align with the standards of the College, such an officer cannot become a directing staff,” he stated. Speaking on the future of Customs training, ACG Gaura said the institution is already advocating stronger computer literacy requirements for officers attending courses at the College. According to him, digital competence has become unavoidable in modern Customs operations, and officers must prepare themselves for the changing realities of international trade administration and border management. “The future of Customs operations is technology-driven, and officers must prepare themselves for that reality,” he said. He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Customs Management Team for their continued support towards infrastructural and academic improvements within the College. “ is to prepare officers for modern professional realities within the Customs administration.