Nigeria Positions for Leadership as CGC Adeniyi Briefs Press on Maiden C-PACT Conference
…As Nigeria Champions Intra-African Trade Optimization
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday, 14 November 2025, briefed journalists at the State House Press Pool, Abuja, unveiling Nigeria’s renewed drive to deepen continental trade integration ahead of the maiden Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference slated for 17–19 November in Abuja.
Speaking under the State House “Meet the Press” platform, CGC Adeniyi said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval of an extension of his mandate came with clear performance targets centred on trade facilitation, port decongestion, and the modernisation of cross-border systems.
He noted that the President’s directives mark a deliberate policy shift toward repositioning Nigeria as a hub for intra-African commerce, in line with the opportunities opened by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Mr President has made it very clear that he intends to use trade to promote economic development and alleviate poverty. So I was not surprised that the implementation of the continental free trade agreement was specifically mentioned in my renewed mandate,” he stated.
Customs at the Centre of AfCFTA Implementation
Adeniyi explained that since receiving the President’s directive, he has intensified engagements across the continent, including a strategic meeting in Ghana with the AfCFTA Secretary-General.
He argued that Customs administrations must be at the heart of free trade implementation if Africa hopes to avoid past pitfalls.
“For many years, regional trade arrangements struggled because Customs was not brought in early enough. If we must achieve the objectives of AfCFTA, Customs must enforce rules of origin, apply preferences, and ensure that goods genuinely enjoy the benefits of the agreement,” he said.
Nigeria Hosts Over 30 Customs Administrations
The CGC confirmed that more than 30 African Customs administrations have registered for the C-PACT Summit, with 22 led by Directors-General, describing the turnout as evidence of growing continental commitment.
He also announced that Nigeria will, for the first time, host the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Ian Sanders, calling the visit a strong acknowledgment of Nigeria’s rising influence in global customs and trade diplomacy.
Boost in Exports and Push Toward African Markets
Adeniyi disclosed that Nigeria’s export volumes have risen by over 30 percent in the last two years, but stressed the need to redirect a significant portion of these exports toward African markets to fully harness AfCFTA’s benefits.
He commended the strong support received from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, AFREXIMBANK, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and other trade-related agencies. Their combined commitments, he noted, have created a “historic window” for Nigeria to assert itself in Africa’s economic transformation.
Call for Public Awareness Ahead of the Summit
The Customs chief urged the State House Press Corps to help drive public awareness about the Abuja summit, emphasising that Day One of the programme will feature direct conversations with private-sector operators from across Africa to identify the persistent barriers affecting movement of goods on the continent.
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