The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to strengthening its partnership with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to enhance environmental safety, trade efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Speaking on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, during a courtesy visit by NESREA’s management team to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of inter-agency synergy in achieving national economic and security objectives.
“We recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership. Many of us have witnessed the golden era of synergy between Customs and NESREA, whether at seaports or border stations. Our commitment to this partnership remains unwavering,” he stated.
Adeniyi highlighted the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) advocacy for active cooperation between regulatory agencies, noting that such partnerships facilitate trade, enhance environmental enforcement, and contribute to national security. He also outlined the NCS’s achievements in 2024, including surpassing its ₦5.1 trillion revenue target by November and exceeding ₦6 trillion by December, attributing these milestones to improved efficiency and strategic collaborations.
“These successes are not just about revenue; they reflect our efforts to create a structured, technology-driven trade environment,” he said.
As part of efforts to enhance regulatory enforcement, Adeniyi proposed deeper digital integration between NCS and NESREA to streamline operations. “If we can establish a digital handshake between our platforms—seamlessly sharing data, approvals, and compliance information—we can significantly enhance environmental protection while improving trade efficiency,” he added.
In response, NESREA’s Director-General, Dr. Innocent Barikor, commended Customs for its progressive reforms and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to stronger collaboration. He stressed the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in restricting hazardous imports.
“Customs and NESREA share a common law enforcement responsibility, especially at the nation’s borders,” Dr. Barikor stated. He noted that NESREA enforces 35 environmental regulations covering air, land, and sea pollution, as well as waste management.
Expressing concern over the increasing importation of end-of-life electronics and other environmentally harmful goods, Dr. Barikor warned that improper disposal poses serious risks. “Some organizations are importing goods that no longer align with environmental best practices, particularly electronic waste. Our inability to manage the resulting hazardous chemicals is already affecting our ecosystem,” he cautioned.
He urged Customs to enforce import restrictions on environmentally unsafe goods and called for greater participation in environmental advocacy, regulatory policymaking, and compliance monitoring. Dr. Barikor also emphasized the importance of joint training and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen collaboration between both agencies.