Meet the Author

Smart Thankgod

Customs Intelligence & Trade Technology Specialist

Smart Thankgod is a senior officer with the Nigeria Customs Service, where he has served since July 2011. Specialising in non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology, he brings over a decade of hands-on experience in cargo scanning, radiation safety, and border security operations — combining deep technical expertise with a strong academic foundation in engineering and computer science.

Currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Science at the University of York (Russell Group, UK), Smart sits at the intersection of customs operations, emerging technology, and trade intelligence — the core focus of his work on MAITAF™ Systems.

Intellectual property

Patent pending

UK Patent Application

Intellectual Property Office · United Kingdom

GB2610347.3

Published · awaiting registration

MAITAF™ Trade Mark

Intellectual Property Office · United Kingdom

UK00004379786

Opposition period ends 15 July 2026

Professional experience

Nigeria Customs Service

Officer — Non-Intrusive Inspection Unit · July 2011 – present

Image Analyst

Trained by the UK Border Force in X-ray image analysis for border security

Specialist training & certifications

Smiths Detection

Receptionist/Check-in operator

Cotecna & SGS

Radiation safety training

Nigeria Customs Service

NICISI & II certification

Airwaves

System operator training

UK Border Force

Image analyst certification

NII equipment proficiency

Smiths Detection — fixed scanner, Smiths Detection — mobile scanner, Smiths Detection — gantry scanner, Nuctech mobile scanner, FS 6000 pass-through scanner

Education

  • MSc Computer Science (in progress)

University of York · Russell Group · United Kingdom

  • BSc Computer Science — 2.1

National Open University of Nigeria

  • HND Mechanical Engineering — Upper Credit

Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori · Nigeria

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