By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have strengthened their collaboration aimed at improving trade relations and addressing business challenges through sustained engagement between public and private sector stakeholders.
The commitment was made during a quarterly meeting held at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, where both sides discussed measures to enhance trade facilitation, security, and broader Nigeria–U.S. economic relations.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of regular stakeholder consultations, noting that such engagements would now become a permanent feature of the Customs calendar.
“It is our intention that we will institutionalise this as a permanent feature of the customs calendar,” Adeniyi said, adding that the move reflects the Service’s commitment to continuous collaboration with industry stakeholders.
He highlighted ongoing reforms introduced by the Service to improve trade processes and reduce operational bottlenecks, including the Advance Ruling System, Authorised Economic Operator Programme, and Post Clearance Audit mechanisms.
Adeniyi also pointed to digital and operational improvements such as the B’Odogwu platform, enhanced scanning integration, and improved cargo clearance procedures, noting that these initiatives are designed to strengthen efficiency and border management.
READ ALSO:IGP urges police to take fight to criminals, unveils six-pillar security blueprint
The American Business Council delegation, led by its President Nneka Enwereji, commended the Customs Service for its reform-driven approach and efforts to improve ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Enwereji described the engagement as productive, urging faster resolution mechanisms for outstanding business concerns while praising the leadership of the Customs Service for driving innovation.
“This session has been phenomenal and demonstrates your commitment to improving ease of doing business,” she said, adding that there is much to learn from Customs’ ongoing reforms.
Both parties agreed that continued dialogue remains essential to strengthening economic ties, while emphasising collaboration as a key driver of investment growth and sustainable trade development.
