Customs, US Chamber of Commerce to strengthen bilateral relations on trade
By Uzor Odigbo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) strengthened business relations and enhanced trade facilitation with the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC), and the American Business Council (ABC) at a quarterly meeting in Abuja.
During the meeting, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the visit will strengthen collaboration and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Niagwan reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to institutional reforms, operational efficiency, digital transformation, and enhanced stakeholder engagement.
Delivering the CGC’s message, she stated, “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 added that the visit offers an opportunity to exchange perspectives, address emerging concerns, and strengthen the partnership between the Service and American businesses operating in, or seeking investment opportunities in, Nigeria.
She emphasised that “predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance, as well as effective dispute resolution mechanisms, are essential to improving the ease of doing business and enhancing investor confidence.”
The Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of the ICT/Modernisation Department, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted the automation of licence and permit applications. He pointed to the planned deployment of 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports, and border stations, along with the introduction of digital platforms to streamline operations. The Service also emphasised its transition towards paperless administrative processes, urging the business community to provide feedback to help identify challenges and improve service delivery.
Speaking at the quarterly engagement, Kendra Gaither, President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, applauded the Service for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic development. She noted that their work often goes unnoticed when operations run smoothly. “When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” she said.
Gaither noted that effective Customs operations remain critical to advancing investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, and the digital economy, while expressing appreciation for the continued collaboration between the NCS and the American business community.
The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, commended the Service for its progress in trade facilitation, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. She congratulated the Service on its emergence as a top-ranked agency in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.
The Council highlighted improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings, and dispute resolution, noting that quarterly engagements have helped resolve longstanding business challenges.
