Customs, NACCIMA deepen ties to boost trade facilitation

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to enhance trade facilitation, improve revenue generation, and strengthen border management.

Adeniyi gave the assurance while receiving the newly elected National President of NACCIMA, Jani Ibrahim, and his management team at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Welcoming the private sector delegation, the Customs boss expressed appreciation for NACCIMA’s endorsement of ongoing reforms, noting that collaboration has been central to his administration’s strategy.

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“When I assumed office, one of the first things I was deliberate about was collaboration. Revenue and security are important, but to succeed in both, we must also strengthen trade facilitation,” Adeniyi said.

He announced that special desks would be created within Customs to handle issues raised by NACCIMA members on the implementation of trade processes.

In his remarks, NACCIMA President Jani Ibrahim commended Adeniyi’s election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, describing it as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing leadership in customs administration.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend Adeniyi’s tenure, calling it a vote of confidence in his transformational reforms.

Ibrahim lauded Customs for innovations such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, the deployment of the indigenous digital platform B’odogwu, Time-Release Studies, and improvements to the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).

According to him, these initiatives have already reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, lowered cargo dwell time, and strengthened Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

“The private sector, through NACCIMA and the organised private sector, is fully committed to supporting Customs in achieving its mandate,” Ibrahim said.

He proposed the creation of a Joint Technical Facilitation Committee comprising representatives of both institutions to provide a framework for regular consultation and measurable progress.

The NACCIMA president stressed that such cooperation would lower the cost of doing business and strategically position Nigeria to take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Both institutions pledged to sustain their partnership as a platform for advancing reforms, strengthening trade competitiveness, and driving economic growth.