The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to cutting bureaucratic bottlenecks and strengthening trade relations between Nigeria and the United States following a high-level stakeholder engagement with the American Business Council (ABC).
The engagement, held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together senior Customs officials, executives of American companies operating in Nigeria, and key industry stakeholders to deliberate on trade facilitation, regulatory reforms, dispute resolution, and strategies to enhance Nigeria’s investment climate.
Addressing participants at the forum, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described stakeholder engagement as a central pillar of modern customs administration, emphasizing that sustained dialogue has helped the Service resolve longstanding operational challenges with the private sector.
He cited the recent resolution of a seven-year classification dispute involving a Council member as a testament to the effectiveness of constructive engagement and institutional responsiveness.
“Stakeholder engagement is one of the major pillars of any modern Customs administration. We have realised that when we address issues in a mutually beneficial manner, everybody becomes a winner,” Adeniyi said.
As part of ongoing reform efforts, the CGC announced the introduction of a unified dispute resolution mechanism aimed at streamlining procedures, reducing delays, and lowering the cost of resolving trade-related conflicts. The initiative, he noted, is designed to provide greater clarity, predictability, and fairness in customs processes.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to transparency, digital modernisation, and the creation of a business-friendly environment capable of attracting and sustaining foreign direct investment. He added that the engagement aligns with the NCS’s broader strategy of deepening partnerships with international business communities while enhancing trade facilitation and economic growth.
In her remarks, Margaret Olele, Executive Secretary of the American Business Council, commended the NCS for maintaining open channels of communication and demonstrating a willingness to address persistent trade concerns affecting member companies.
“We are seeing positive outcomes from these engagements, including the resolution of long-standing issues affecting our members. While not every concern can be resolved immediately, sustained dialogue helps balance national interests with the need for an efficient business environment,” she said.
Industry stakeholders at the event described the forum as a significant step toward fostering trust, improving regulatory clarity, and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a competitive destination for U.S. investment.
The engagement underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s evolving role—not only as a revenue-collecting agency—but as a key facilitator of trade and driver of economic growth in Africa’s largest economy.
Leave a Reply