By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has sensitised border stakeholders in Badagry, Lagos State, on trade facilitation measures aimed at ensuring seamless cross-border transactions and achieving 24-hour export clearance to neighbouring countries.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation programme themed “Empowering Cross-Border Trade Through Trade Information,” the Director of Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Ify Okolue, said the initiative was designed to enhance transparency, efficiency and competitiveness in cross-border trade.
Okolue commended the Executive Secretary of the council, Dr. Pius Akutah, for sustained stakeholder engagement to improve inter-border trade operations.
She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to promoting seamless and cost-effective trade across Nigeria’s borders, describing the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs) as timely and strategic.
“The BIC provides traders with accurate information on tariffs, documentation requirements, import and export procedures, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and other regulatory obligations.
It also reduces information gaps and directly addresses one of the key barriers to trade formalisation and competitiveness,” she said.
She explained that the initiative aligns with the council’s statutory mandate as Nigeria’s port economic regulator to promote efficiency, fairness and cost-effectiveness in ports and transport corridors.
“Our oversight extends beyond seaports to inland corridors and border posts, where logistics performance significantly affects trade outcomes,” she added.
Okolue disclosed that the council, in partnership with Borderless Alliance, GIZ, USAID West Africa Trade Hub, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Nigeria Customs Service, has facilitated the establishment of BICs at Seme–Krake, Jibia–Maradi, Illela–Birnin Koni and Mfum–Nkot borders. She added that the Idiroko Border Information Centre would become operational before the end of the second quarter of 2026.
She also highlighted the promotion of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) to provide safe resting facilities for truck drivers and access to essential services.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, the Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, said the service had enhanced trade facilitation by clearing perishable goods in less than two hours to neighbouring countries to encourage exports.
He commended small-scale business operators for their contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and role in reducing social vices.
According to Adenuga, the Seme Command generated over N15 billion in revenue in 2025 the highest in its history due to enhanced inter-border trading.
He added that the command realised N4.1 billion between Feb. 1 and Feb. 24, 2026, compared to N650 million generated in February 2025, attributing the increase to higher export activities along the corridor.
He urged stakeholders to report any instance of more than two checkpoints, noting that only Agbara and Gbaji are approved under the joint border security arrangement.
Also speaking, the Director of Trade at ECOWAS, Mr. Kolawole Sofola, represented by Sarah Okporufe, stressed the need for continuous sensitisation on documentation, dispute resolution and best practices along the Seme border corridor.
Sofola highlighted the importance of e-commerce, gender-inclusive trade and sustainable practices, noting that the ECOWAS Treaty provides for the removal of trade barriers and harmonisation of policies toward establishing a Free Trade Area, Customs Union and Common Market.
He encouraged traders to take advantage of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), which allows duty-free movement of eligible goods within the region, and to obtain valid travel documents to facilitate smooth movement across member states.
