The Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, Comptroller Godwin Olugbenga Otunla, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to facilitating seamless and legitimate trade activities along the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor.

Comptroller Otunla made this pledge during a high-level stakeholder engagement session recently held at the Command’s conference room. The meeting brought together key actors in cross-border commerce, including representatives from the Benin Republic Customs Authority, business leaders, trade associations, clearing agents from both Nigeria and Benin Republic, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), and Customs liaison officers.

In his opening remarks, Otunla emphasized the vital economic relationship between Nigeria and the Benin Republic, highlighting the need for synergy to revive and sustain trade across the region. “The economic relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic is not only vital to our bilateral engagements but also to the broader West African sub-region,” he said.

He acknowledged the challenges that have hampered trade in recent times, including regulatory bottlenecks, multiple checkpoints, poor infrastructure, and security concerns, and noted that these issues must be tackled to restore commercial vibrancy to the corridor.

“The objective of this engagement is to foster honest dialogue, identify obstacles, and co-create practical, implementable solutions that would promote lawful trade across the Igolo–Idiroko corridor,” Otunla stated.

During the interactive session, stakeholders identified several trade-inhibiting factors such as poor road conditions, tariff and non-tariff barriers, insufficient container-handling space, lack of effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and lingering security threats.

As part of proactive steps to address these issues, the Command unveiled a newly allocated one-hectare site capable of accommodating over 30 containers. Stakeholders inspected the site and expressed optimism that it would ease cargo movement and enhance the overall efficiency of border operations.

Comptroller Otunla assured participants that their concerns would be addressed promptly, aligning with the policy direction of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, which prioritizes collaboration, transparency, and facilitation of legitimate trade.

“I pledge to utilize all powers within my office to implement the resolutions reached during this engagement. Cooperation and collaboration remain the driving forces behind our renewed efforts,” he concluded.

The session ended on a positive note, with stakeholders expressing renewed hope for improved cross-border trade at Idiroko.