By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has confirmed the reopening of the Seme Border after seven years of closure over alleged smuggling activities along the Nigeria–Benin corridor.
Speaking at the weekend, Adeniyi described the reopening as a strategic decision aligned with Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a major regional transit and trade hub in West and Central Africa.
According to him, the decision followed high-level engagements between authorities in Nigeria, Benin, and consultations involving Niger. The discussions, he said, culminated in the approval of transit cargo movements along the Kébé route.
The CGC explained that Nigeria is fulfilling its regional obligations by allowing transit goods bound for Chad and Cameroon to pass through its territory. He, however, assured that tighter technological controls and enhanced monitoring systems would be deployed to prevent diversion of transit consignments into the domestic market.
Adeniyi added that transit operations from major seaports, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, would continue under strengthened surveillance and risk management frameworks aimed at boosting revenue generation and safeguarding national security.
He disclosed that the Service is targeting ₦9 trillion in revenue for 2026, expressing confidence that ongoing trade facilitation reforms, deeper deployment of technology for cargo tracking, and stronger collaboration with stakeholders will drive performance.
The Customs boss further revealed that more than ₦100 billion was recovered from traders who voluntarily returned to regularise underpaid duties after reviewing their records — a development he described as unprecedented. He attributed the improved compliance to increased transparency, automation of processes, and sustained engagement with operators across the trading value chain.
Meanwhile, Adeniyi noted that the Service surpassed its 2025 revenue target by about 11 per cent, crediting the achievement to reforms that have simplified procedures, improved predictability in trade processes, and encouraged voluntary compliance among importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, clearing agents, and freight forwarders nationwide.
He added that the final revenue target for 2026 would be formally unveiled after consultations with the appropriation committees of the National Assembly.
