The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to closer collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture to enhance trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border management.
In a statement on Sunday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, gave the assurance when he received the newly elected National President of NACCIMA, Jani Ibrahim, and his management team at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi appreciated the association’s commendation and endorsement of ongoing Customs reforms. He noted that his administration values collaboration as a means of balancing revenue generation, national security, and trade facilitation.
“When I assumed office, one of the first things I was deliberate about was the issue of collaboration. Revenue and security are important, but to succeed in both, we must also strengthen trade facilitation. Today, I am pleased to inform you that we are fully on course with this collaboration. In that spirit, we will dedicate special desks for your members to resolve issues regarding the implementation of our processes,” CGC Adeniyi said.
In his remarks, NACCIMA President Jani Ibrahim congratulated Adeniyi on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, describing it as “a well-deserved recognition of Nigeria’s growing leadership in customs administration.”
He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend Adeniyi’s tenure, stating that it is a vote of confidence in his transformational reforms. Ibrahim lauded the service for reforms such as the introduction of the Authorised Economic Operator programme, deployment of indigenous digital platforms known as B’odogwu, Time-Release Studies, and improvements to the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report.
He noted that these innovations were already reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, lowering cargo dwell time, and strengthening Nigeria’s position in global trade.
“The private sector, through NACCIMA and the organised private sector, is fully committed to supporting the NCS in achieving its mandate. We strongly advocate the establishment of a Joint Technical Facilitation Committee with representatives of both NACCIMA and the NCS. This will provide a framework for regular consultation and measurable progress on all areas of collaboration,” he said.
He stressed that such cooperation would not only reduce the cost of doing business but also position Nigeria more strategically under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
