The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC) and the American Business Council (ABC) to improve trade facilitation, address business concerns and promote investment in Nigeria.
The commitment was reaffirmed at a quarterly stakeholder engagement held on October 28, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters’ ICT Auditorium in Maitama, Abuja.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said that the engagement would deepen economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Adeniyi reaffirmed Custom’s commitment to institutional reforms, operational efficiency, digital transformation and stronger engagement with the private sector.
He maintained that the objective was to build a modern and transparent Customs administration that could facilitate trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security and regulatory compliance.
According to him, predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance and efficient dispute resolution were critical to improving the business environment and strengthening investor confidence.
He added that the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views, address emerging challenges and improve conditions for American businesses operating in Nigeria or considering investments in the country.
While giving an update on the Service’s modernisation programme, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, disclosed that Customs was automating licence and permit application processes to reduce administrative bottlenecks.
He also announced plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations to strengthen cargo examination and improve operational efficiency.
Adebakin said that the Customs was introducing digital platforms to streamline its operations and gradually moving towards paperless administrative processes.
He encouraged businesses to provide feedback on their experiences with Customs procedures, stating that such input would help identify operational challenges and improve service delivery.
Speaking at the meeting, 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 economic development through trade facilitation.
She observed that the importance of efficient Customs operations was often overlooked when the system functioned effectively, stressing that businesses and consumers ultimately benefited from seamless trade processes.
Gaither identified agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy as sectors where effective Customs administration could support investment and strengthen commercial relations.
She also acknowledged the continued engagement between the Service and the American business community.
I’m the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, praised Customs for improvements in trade facilitation, transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Olele congratulated the Service on its emergence as one of the top-ranked agencies in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.
She also highlighted progress in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution mechanisms.
According to the Council, the quarterly engagements have provided an avenue for resolving longstanding challenges affecting businesses and improving cooperation between Customs and the private sector.
The renewed engagement comes as Nigeria seeks to improve the efficiency of its trade processes, reduce the cost of doing business and attract greater foreign investment through reforms in its border and customs administration.
