The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, has underscored the transformative role of Border Information Centres (BICs) in driving trade growth across Nigeria’s land borders.
Dr. Akutah made the assertion virtually during a film screening and dialogue session themed “Trade Now: Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Border Information Centres”, held in Badagry, Lagos. He commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and other development partners for their sustained collaboration in advancing trade facilitation initiatives across the West African region.
According to him, the effective deployment of BICs would significantly enhance trade volumes by providing timely, reliable, and accessible information to cross-border traders.
Reinforcing the Council’s position, the NSC Director of Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Ify Okolue, reiterated the agency’s commitment as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator to fostering seamless and cost-effective trade. She described BICs as catalysts for economic growth, offering structured platforms that promote transparency, provide operational guidance, and support dispute resolution mechanisms for traders navigating border processes.
Okolue further acknowledged the strategic contributions of ECOWAS, GIZ, and other stakeholders in strengthening regional trade systems, noting that Border Information Centres deliver on-the-spot assistance critical to improving compliance and efficiency.
Also speaking, the Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kolawole Sofola, represented by Mrs. Sarah Akpofure, stressed the need for sustained sensitization campaigns to deepen traders’ understanding of documentation requirements, regulatory procedures, and dispute resolution frameworks. She emphasized the importance of integrating e-commerce, promoting gender-inclusive trade policies, and advancing sustainable practices in future awareness programmes.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating legitimate trade through coordinated border management.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Customs Area Controller of Seme-Krake Border, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, highlighted ongoing collaboration between Customs, the NSC, and other security agencies to enhance lawful trade operations and improve access for legitimate traders.
He maintained that sustained inter-agency synergy remains vital to unlocking trade potential and strengthening economic integration across the West African sub-region.
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