The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to enhance the Nigerian economy by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), according to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
At the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference in Lagos, organized by Ascend Studios Foundation in collaboration with the US Consulate and other partners, Adeniyi, represented by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, emphasized the NCS’s commitment to improving trade facilitation. He highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) of the European Union (EU) to ensure efficient export monitoring and trade facilitation.
“The NCS is dedicated to perfecting trade procedures within our customs zones,” Adeniyi stated. He noted that the NCS is working with other Nigerian government agencies to maximize trade opportunities and reduce incidents of Nigerian goods being returned from destination countries.
To support traders participating in AGOA, Adeniyi disclosed plans to establish a one-stop-shop for export documentation, aimed at reducing the time required for Nigerian exporters to ship their goods.
He also discussed the implementation of Time Release Studies, which measure the time taken for goods to clear through ports. This initiative aims to identify bureaucratic delays and enhance customs efficiency, ensuring compliant traders can expedite their cargo through ports, border stations, and airports.
“These programs are geared towards enhancing customs efficiency in line with global best practices,” Adeniyi explained. He also emphasized the importance of continuous training for customs officers, regular stakeholder engagement, and improvements in technological capacity.
During an interactive session, Comptroller Olomu elaborated on the trade facilitation benefits of the NCS Act 2023 and the ease of doing business provisions in the new customs law. He urged entrepreneurs, diplomats, and other trading community members to stay informed about government import and export regulations.
Olomu also highlighted efforts by the Apapa Port Command to develop a reliable system for non-intrusive cargo inspection, meeting World Customs Organization (WCO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) standards.
The conference underscored the NCS’s strategic focus on fostering economic growth through improved trade facilitation and seamless export processes, positioning Nigeria to fully benefit from international trade agreements like AfCFTA and AGOA.