BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has aligned with the US Chamber of Commerce, US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC), and American Business Council (ABC) to bolster trade and investor confidence.
This played out during a quarterly meeting between the NCS and US organisations at the NCS Headquarters' ICT Auditorium in Abuja.
Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi stated that the visit will strengthen collaboration and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to institutional reforms, operational efficiency, digital transformation, and enhanced stakeholder engagement.
Adeniyi pointed out that NCS’s objective is to build a modern, transparent, and responsive Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
The visit offers an opportunity to exchange perspectives, address emerging concerns, and strengthen the partnership between the service and American businesses operating and seeking investment opportunities in Nigeria.
Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan hinted that predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance, as well as effective dispute resolution mechanisms, are essential to improving the ease of doing business and enhancing investor confidence.
The Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of the ICT/Modernisation Department, Oluyomi Adebakin highlighted the automation of licence and permit applications.
He explained the planned deployment of 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports, and border stations, along with the introduction of digital platforms to streamline operations.
Adebakin informed about the ongoing customs’ transition towards paperless administrative processes, encouraging the business community to provide feedback to help identify challenges and improve service delivery.
President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither lauded the service for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.
She informed that their work often goes unnoticed when operations run smoothly, adding that when customs work well by facilitating easy access to trade, the citizens remain the ultimate beneficiaries.
Gaither said that effective customs operations remain critical to advancing investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, and the digital economy, appreciating the Federal Government for the continued collaboration between the NCS and the American business community.
The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele praised the service for its progress in trade facilitation, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.
She congratulated NCS on its emergence as a top-ranked agency in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.
The council highlighted improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings, and dispute resolution, adding that quarterly engagements helped to resolve longstanding business challenges.
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