Nigeria Customs, US Business Groups Strengthen Partnership to Boost Trade Facilitation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade relations and economic cooperation with the United States through enhanced collaboration with the US Chamber of Commerce, US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC), and American Business Council (ABC).
The commitment was reiterated during a quarterly stakeholder engagement held on October 28, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters’ ICT Auditorium in 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 further deepen bilateral relations and promote 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.
She explained that the NCS was working towards building a modern, transparent, and responsive Customs administration capable of facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security, and compliance with relevant regulations.
According to her, predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance, and effective dispute resolution mechanisms are essential to improving the business environment and strengthening investor confidence.
She added that the engagement provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange ideas, address emerging concerns, and strengthen partnerships with American businesses operating in Nigeria and those interested in investing in the country.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives aimed at improving Customs operations.
Adebakin disclosed that the Service was automating licence and permit applications and planning to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports, and border stations.
She also highlighted the introduction of digital platforms to streamline operations and the Service’s transition towards paperless administrative processes.
She encouraged members of the business community to provide feedback on the new initiatives to help identify operational 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.
She observed that the importance of Customs operations is often overlooked when trade processes function efficiently.
“When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” she said.
Gaither noted that efficient Customs administration was essential to unlocking investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, and the digital economy.
She also expressed appreciation for the continued partnership between the NCS and the American business community.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, applauded the Service for its achievements in trade facilitation, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.
Olele congratulated the NCS on its emergence as a top-ranked agency in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.
The Council also acknowledged improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings, and dispute resolution, noting that the quarterly engagements had helped address longstanding challenges affecting businesses.
