The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) in Gwagwalada, Abuja, says it has replaced handwritten examinations with computer-based testing as part of efforts to modernise training and align with global standards in customs administration. The agency said the digital examination system, introduced for Senior Course students, began this month at the college’s e-library and marks a significant shift from the traditional paper-based assessment process.
Commandant of the college, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, said the move was necessary as customs operations around the world become increasingly technology-driven.”We are now in the era of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation.
As the think tank of the Nigeria Customs Service, the College must lead from the front,” Gaura said after monitoring the examinations. He said the previous handwritten system often delayed assessments because directing staff had to contend with large volumes of scripts and illegible handwriting.
Under the new arrangement, students complete and submit examinations electronically, a process Gaura said would improve efficiency, transparency and speed.
The college has also expanded the use of technology beyond examinations to include revision sessions and virtual learning engagements.
Gaura said the institution was encouraging stronger computer literacy among officers, arguing that digital competence had become essential for modern customs operations, international trade administration and border management.
He added that ongoing improvements at the college, including hostel renovations, expansion of the cafeteria and upgrades to other facilities, were being supported by Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and the Customs management team.
Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies Comptroller Haniel Hadisson described the introduction of computer-based examinations as one of the most significant academic reforms in the institution’s history.
He said students and instructors underwent orientation sessions, practical exercises and system testing before the examinations commenced to ensure a smooth transition.
Chief Instructor of the Senior Course, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Isaac Akano, said initial concerns among students about abandoning handwritten examinations had largely disappeared following training and familiarisation exercises.
He said the new system had improved coordination, monitoring and assessment while allowing students to focus more on content than handwriting and script presentation.”It is a progressive step that reflects the College’s determination to keep pace with global best practices in professional training,” Akano said.