By Peace Udugba:
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade relations and improving business opportunities between Nigeria and the United States following a quarterly engagement with the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC) and the American Business Council (ABC).
The meeting, held on October 28, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters’ ICT Auditorium in Maitama, Abuja, focused on deepening bilateral economic cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation and addressing challenges facing American businesses operating in Nigeria.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the engagement would strengthen collaboration and 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.
Delivering the Comptroller-General’s message, she said the NCS was working towards building a modern, transparent and responsive Customs administration capable of facilitating trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security and compliance with relevant regulations.
She noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange views, address emerging concerns and strengthen cooperation between the Service and American businesses operating in, or seeking investment opportunities in, Nigeria.
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 boosting investor confidence.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted the Service’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including the automation of licence and permit applications.
Adebakin disclosed plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations to strengthen inspection processes and improve operational efficiency.
She also highlighted the introduction of digital platforms to streamline Customs operations and the Service’s transition towards paperless administrative processes.
The NCS encouraged members of the business community to provide feedback on its digital initiatives to help identify operational challenges and improve service delivery.
Speaking at the engagement, Kendra Gaither, President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, commended the Service for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.
She observed that the importance of Customs operations was often overlooked when trade processes functioned efficiently, noting that effective trade facilitation ultimately benefits businesses, consumers and the wider economy.
“When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” she said.
Gaither stressed that efficient Customs operations were critical to expanding 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, praised the Service for its 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.
The Council also acknowledged improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution mechanisms.
It noted that the quarterly engagements had provided an effective platform for resolving longstanding business challenges and strengthening cooperation between the Customs Service and the private sector.
