The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially reopened the Seme Border in Lagos, seven years after its closure against the Benin Republic over alleged smuggling activities, in a move aimed at strengthening regional trade and boosting national revenue.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, confirmed the reopening in an interview with Shipping Position, describing it as a strategic decision aligned with Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a regional transit corridor.
The move follows high-level consultations between Nigerian and Beninese authorities, with Niger also involved, culminating in approval for transit cargo movements along the Kébé route.
According to Adeniyi, the border reopening allows goods destined for landlocked countries such as Chad and Cameroon to pass through Nigeria, while advanced technological controls will be used to prevent diversion of transit consignments into the domestic market.
Transit operations from major seaports, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, will continue under enhanced monitoring to ensure revenue growth and national security.
Dr Adeniyi emphasized that the NCS 2026 strategy will prioritise trade facilitation, deeper technology deployment for cargo tracking, and stronger partnerships with the trading community.
He projected that these measures would help achieve the ₦9 trillion revenue target for 2026, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a key trade hub in West and Central Africa.
The CGC also revealed that over ₦100 billion was recovered from traders who voluntarily regularised underpaid duties, attributing the improvement to enhanced transparency, automation, and sustained engagement with operators.
He noted that in 2025, the Service exceeded its revenue target by 11 percent, crediting reforms that made trade processes easier and more predictable.
With the reopening of the Seme Border, Nigeria is set to enhance regional trade flows, encourage voluntary compliance, and consolidate its strategic position as a vital transit corridor in West and Central Africa.
