The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has inaugurated the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment, a significant initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s trade and investment sectors.

The centre, named in honor of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, was launched at the NIIA headquarters in Lagos, marking a new chapter in the country’s approach to global trade. The CGC expressed optimism, stating, “The establishment of this Centre comes at an opportune time as Nigeria is repositioning itself in the global trade environment. As we advance these initiatives, I envision this Centre evolving into a comprehensive national think tank focused on international trade and investment.”

NIIA Director-General, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, noted that the centre would function as a “finishing school” for senior customs officers. “This centre will offer senior executive courses that will be certificated,” he explained, emphasizing its international orientation within the framework of the World Customs Organisation.

Prominent figures, including former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and Dr. Chinyere Almona, contributed insights during a panel discussion, examining Nigeria’s economic challenges and prospects in trade and investment.

CGC Adeniyi highlighted the centre’s role in building capacity and fostering economic growth through trade, saying, “We have a strong commitment to our mandate of trade facilitation. We believe that the centre will be a centre of excellence… creating awareness about the necessity of conducting international trade. Trade brings prosperity, and we hope that this centre will foster prosperity through trade.”

The ceremony concluded with the CGC officially unveiling the centre and touring its facilities, underscoring NCS’s dedication to expanding Nigeria’s role in global commerce.