The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral trade relations with the United States, pledging to deepen collaboration with American business organisations to improve trade facilitation, investment opportunities and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The commitment was made during a quarterly stakeholder engagement involving 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, Maitama, Abuja.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, 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 CGC’s message, she said the NCS was working towards building a modern, transparent and responsive Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security and compliance with relevant regulations.
She noted that the engagement provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange perspectives, address emerging concerns and strengthen partnerships with American businesses operating in Nigeria and those 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 business environment and boosting investor confidence.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted the Service’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including the automation of licence and permit applications.
Adebakin disclosed that the NCS plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations as part of efforts to strengthen cargo examination, improve operational efficiency and facilitate legitimate trade.
She also highlighted the introduction of digital platforms to streamline Customs operations and the Service’s transition towards paperless administrative processes.
She urged members of the business community to provide regular feedback on their experiences with the Service, noting that such contributions would help identify operational challenges and improve service delivery.
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 contributions to the country’s economic development.
Gaither observed that the importance of Customs operations was sometimes overlooked when trade processes functioned efficiently, stressing that effective Customs administration directly benefits businesses, consumers and the wider economy.
“When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” she said.
She noted that efficient Customs operations were critical to unlocking investment opportunities in key sectors, including agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy.
Gaither also expressed appreciation for the continued collaboration between the NCS and the American business community.
Similarly, 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.
Olele congratulated the NCS on its emergence as a top-ranked agency in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue between the NCS and the American business community in addressing trade-related concerns, improving Customs processes and creating a more predictable environment for investment and international trade.
She also acknowledged improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution mechanisms, noting that the quarterly engagements had helped address longstanding challenges confronting businesses.
One Comment