The Acting Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has engaged maritime stakeholders on the trade value chain along the South-West corridor, urging greater compliance, transparency and collaboration to facilitate legitimate trade.
Afeni made the call during a stakeholder engagement held on Friday, October 2, 2026, where he interacted with stakeholders on issues affecting the smooth movement of legitimate trade and the effective discharge of Customs responsibilities along the maritime corridor.
This was disclosed by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, in a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
DC Afeni emphasised the importance of partnership and constructive engagement with stakeholders, assuring the maritime community of the Unit’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring effective enforcement of Customs laws and regulations.
He urged stakeholders to make accurate and honest declarations, noting that voluntary compliance and transparency would help reduce delays, disputes and unnecessary bottlenecks in the clearance process.
Afeni said effective trade facilitation require the collective commitment of all players within the supply chain, assuring stakeholders that the Unit would continue to listen to genuine concerns and address operational challenges within its mandate.
He also called for sustained cooperation between the NCS and maritime stakeholders to strengthen compliance, transparency and seamless trade, while supporting the Federal Government’s ease of doing business agenda.
Stakeholders appreciated the engagement and expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with the NCS in promoting compliance, transparency and efficient trade, while the Unit reaffirmed its commitment to revenue assurance and the prevention of smuggling and other forms of cross-border economic crime.
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