BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade facilitation, improving operational efficiency and deepening economic cooperation with American businesses as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s investment climate.
The commitment was reiterated during a quarterly stakeholder engagement with representatives of the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC) and the American Business Council (ABC), held on October 28, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters ICT Auditorium in Maitama, Abuja.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen institutional collaboration and promote mutually beneficial economic relations between Nigeria and the United States.
Delivering the Comptroller-General’s message, Niagwan reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to institutional reforms, digital transformation, transparent administration and improved engagement with stakeholders.
“Our objective is to build a modern, transparent, and responsive Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations,” she said.
She explained that sustained engagement with the American business community would enable the Service to exchange ideas, address emerging concerns and improve the operating environment for companies doing business in Nigeria or seeking investment opportunities in the country.
According to her, predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance and effective dispute resolution mechanisms remain essential to improving the ease of doing business and strengthening investor confidence.
Niagwan added that the Service recognised the importance of maintaining an efficient and responsive customs system capable of supporting legitimate trade while fulfilling its statutory responsibilities on revenue generation, border protection and regulatory compliance.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted ongoing efforts to automate licence and permit applications and expand the deployment of technology across customs operations.
She disclosed plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations to strengthen cargo examination and improve operational efficiency.
Adebakin also highlighted the Service’s transition towards digital platforms and paperless administrative processes, explaining that the initiatives were designed to streamline procedures, reduce operational bottlenecks and improve service delivery.
She encouraged members of the business community to provide feedback on their experiences with customs processes, noting that their contributions would help the Service identify operational challenges and develop practical solutions.
In her remarks, the President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its role in supporting economic activities and facilitating trade.
Gaither observed that the importance of efficient customs administration was often overlooked when goods moved smoothly across borders and businesses experienced minimal disruptions.
“When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” she said.
She noted that effective customs operations were critical to unlocking investment opportunities across key sectors, including agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy.
Gaither also expressed appreciation for the continued engagement between the NCS and the American business community, stressing the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing trade-related challenges and promoting business growth.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, commended the Service for its reported progress 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, describing the development as an important milestone in its engagement with the business community.
The Council also highlighted improvements associated with the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution mechanisms.
According to the Council, the quarterly engagements have provided a platform for addressing longstanding business concerns, improving communication and strengthening cooperation between customs officials and private-sector operators.
The meeting underscored the importance of sustained public-private collaboration in building a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven customs administration capable of supporting legitimate trade, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s economic relationship with the United States.
