The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations with the United States through improved trade facilitation, digital transformation and enhanced engagement with the American business community.
The commitment was reiterated during a quarterly stakeholder meeting involving the NCS, the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC) and the American Business Council (ABC), held on October 28, 2026, at the Customs Headquarters ICT Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the engagement would further deepen economic cooperation and strengthen collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
Niagwan reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to institutional reforms, operational efficiency, digital transformation and improved stakeholder relations, stressing that the objective was to build a modern, transparent and responsive Customs administration.
“Our objective is to build a modern, transparent, and responsive Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations,” she said.
She noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange perspectives, address emerging business concerns and strengthen cooperation with American companies operating in Nigeria or considering investment opportunities in the country.
According to her, predictable Customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, timely cargo clearance and effective dispute resolution mechanisms remain critical to improving the ease of doing business and strengthening investor confidence.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted the Service’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including the automation of licence and permit applications.
Adebakin disclosed plans to deploy 22 additional cargo scanners across seaports, airports and border stations as part of efforts to strengthen cargo examination, improve operational efficiency and enhance trade security.
She also highlighted the Service’s transition towards paperless administrative processes and the introduction of digital platforms to simplify Customs operations.
The DCG encouraged members of the business community to provide regular feedback on the new systems to enable the Service to identify operational challenges and improve service delivery.
In her remarks, President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its contributions to the country’s economic development.
Gaither observed that the importance of efficient Customs operations often becomes more evident when trade processes run smoothly, noting that businesses and consumers ultimately benefit from effective trade facilitation.
“When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” she said.
She further emphasised the importance of efficient Customs administration in unlocking investment opportunities across agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy.
Gaither also expressed appreciation for the continued partnership between the NCS and the American business community, describing sustained engagement as essential to strengthening trade and investment relations.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, commended the Service for its progress in trade facilitation, transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Olele congratulated the NCS on its emergence as a top-ranked agency in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.
She also acknowledged improvements in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution mechanisms, noting that the quarterly engagements had provided an effective platform for addressing longstanding business concerns.
The meeting underscored the importance of sustained cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the American business community in promoting transparent trade procedures, improving cargo clearance, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in international commerce.
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