The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to drive trade facilitation, enhance revenue generation, and improve border management — a move expected to ease the cost of doing business for SMEs.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, gave the assurance in Abuja when he hosted the newly elected NACCIMA National President, Jani Ibrahim, and his team. Adeniyi said collaboration remains central to Customs' reforms, balancing revenue, national security, and trade facilitation.
"From the beginning of my tenure, collaboration has been a priority. Revenue and security matter, but without strong trade facilitation, businesses cannot thrive. That is why we are setting up dedicated desks for NACCIMA members to quickly resolve trade-related issues," he stated.
Ibrahim, on his part, praised Adeniyi's leadership and recent election as Chair of the World Customs Organisation Council, calling it global recognition of Nigeria's growing influence in customs administration. He also hailed reforms such as the Authorised Economic Operator scheme, the B'odogwu digital platform, and Time-Release Studies, noting that they have already cut bureaucracy, reduced cargo delays, and improved Nigeria's global trade standing.
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He proposed the creation of a Joint Technical Facilitation Committee with both NACCIMA and Customs representatives to ensure regular consultation and measurable progress.
"Such collaboration will reduce the cost of doing business, strengthen SMEs' participation in cross-border trade, and better position Nigeria under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)," Ibrahim said.
The strengthened partnership is expected to unlock fresh opportunities for small businesses engaged in import, export, logistics, and value-chain services, making Nigeria's business environment more competitive globally.
