Customs Strengthens Trade Relations With US Business Groups, Pledges Improved Trade Facilitation

Customs Strengthens Trade Relations With US Business Groups, Pledges Improved Trade Facilitation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade relations and improving business operations through increased collaboration with the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC) and the American Business Council (ABC).

The commitment was made during a quarterly stakeholders’ meeting held at the NCS Headquarters’ ICT Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the engagement would strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

Niagwan reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to institutional reforms, operational efficiency, digital transformation and improved stakeholder engagement.

Delivering the Comptroller-General’s message, she said the NCS was working towards building a modern, transparent and responsive Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security and compliance with relevant regulations.

She noted that the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, address emerging concerns and strengthen partnerships with American businesses operating in Nigeria or seeking investment opportunities in the country.

She also stressed that predictable Customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance and effective dispute resolution mechanisms were essential to improving the ease of doing business and boosting investor confidence.

Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted ongoing efforts to automate licence and permit applications.

She disclosed plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations, alongside the introduction of digital platforms to streamline operations.

Adebakin added that the Service was moving towards paperless administrative processes and encouraged members of the business community to provide feedback to help identify challenges and improve service delivery.

In her remarks, the President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, commended the NCS for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic development, noting that effective Customs operations benefit businesses and the wider public.

“When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” she said.

Gaither said efficient Customs operations were important to attracting investments in agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy. She also appreciated the continued partnership between the Service and the American business community.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, commended the NCS for its progress in trade facilitation, transparency and stakeholder engagement.

She also congratulated the Service on its emergence as a top-ranked agency in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.

The Council further acknowledged improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution, noting that the quarterly engagements had helped address longstanding challenges faced by businesses.

Customs Strengthens Trade Relations With US Business Groups, Pledges Improved Trade Facilitation