Author: Abass Quadri.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the service’s commitment to using smart border technology to enhance regional security.

The CGC made this statement at the West Africa Border Security Week held in Lagos on Tuesday, 3 September 2024.

The Customs Chief, who was represented by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, in charge of the Apapa Area Command, said that the service is meeting the demands of border protection.

He stated, “The conduct of Time Release Studies and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology have ensured that we can meet the demands of our border protection.

“Implementing this smart border technology in West Africa will also require a collaborative effort from governments, international organisations, and stakeholders to address the unique challenges and needs of the region.”

Regarding synergy with sister agencies, the CGC noted that numerous illicit items have been intercepted in recent months with the assistance of relevant security agencies.

“Regarding smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a series of arms and ammunition. Just two months ago, we recorded 10 containers at Onne ports, as well as some at other ports,” he emphasised.

For her part, Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration Mosunmola Onilade stated that effective interagency coordination is not only desirable but essential for reducing wasteful overlap and unnecessary rivalry.

According to her, an interagency approach to crime prevention and control, as well as in preventing irregular migration, is not only imperative but very urgent. “We cannot allow rivalry between stakeholders to affect our work, which would jeopardise our national security.”

A paper was presented by the Assistant Provost Marshal, Customs Police Unit Zone ‘A’, AC Tasiu Sanusi, on the topic: “Illicit Trade and Its Implications on Border Security: The Role of the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Author: Lucy Nyambi.

The Nigeria Customs Service has pledged to boost Nigeria’s Manufacturing Sector through Trade Facilitation.

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made the commitment at the 53rd Anniversary and Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the CGC acknowledged the role of the service in transforming national economic objectives into feasible outcomes.

He said, “Customs is a key agency at the forefront of trade facilitation and regulatory compliance, we play a vital role in translating national economic objectives into tangible outcomes. We will, therefore, explore all customs swift adaptation to new directives, including tariff adjustments and Trade Facilitation measures to impact the manufacturing sector directly”.

He stated the service’s commitment to supporting the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector while also emphasising the importance of compliance and integrity in partnerships.

He pledged to work with the manufacturing sector to combat illegal trade. “We are going to put a lot of emphasis on issues related to the enforcement of brands and standards, and we will not allow counterfeit products in our markets. This commitment shows that we understand what manufacturers need and will be here to help the industry grow”.

“However, we need you to be honest and follow the rules. Customs is ready to work hand in hand with you to make our country a manufacturing giant”, the CGC stressed.

Meanwhile, the Customs Boss played host to the Managing Director (MD) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, at the headquarters of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) ‘A’.

The MD proposed a tripartite committee to seek out issues relating to the free trade zones while also imbibing the culture of collaboration.

“We at NEPZA see Customs playing a vital role in free trade zones, striking a balance between trade facilitation and regulatory enforcement. By leveraging technology and collaboration, customs can enhance the benefits of free trade zones to drive economic growth and global connectivity”, Ogunyemi stated.

Responding, CGC Adeniyi pledged to work with NEPZA in the interest of the special economic zones.

“We already have a committee headed by the DCG comprising a team from Customs, NEPZA and the Secretariat provided by the special economic zone association. Their mandates include issues that require interpretation of legal provisions among others”, Adeniyi stated.

He assured an open-door policy to dialogue with understanding to stimulate economic development.

Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to streamlining processes that will facilitate President Bola Tinubu’s food security initiative.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known on Tuesday, 13 August 2024, at Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja, during an official launch of a book, “Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management.” The book, authored by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, highlights the CGC’s progressive public relations strategies.

According to the CGC, the aim is to ensure the swift importation of food items, adhering to standards that reduce costs and lower consumer prices.

The book launch coincided with the 2nd Economic Confidential Annual Lecture, where the Comptroller-General further stressed the strong commitment of the Customs Service to addressing food security challenges through targeted measures to intensify agricultural production. “In line with our earlier highlighted vast agricultural potential, the government is actively providing incentives to farmers to increase food production, among other measures,” he said.

Adeniyi says, “There’s an ambitious target to cultivate more than 10 million hectares of land for food production. This initiative not only aims to boost our food security but also to leverage our abundant arable land, only 40% of which is currently cultivated.”

The CGC Adeniyi also noted that the Federal Government has taken bold steps to address the immediate challenge of high food prices by removing tariffs and other import duties on key staples such as rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum for six months.

Adeniyi, who underscored the vital role of Customs as the gatekeeper of Nigeria’s international trade, also emphasised the need to streamline processes to secure the nation’s food supply and support agricultural production.

He further stated, “Let me reiterate a known fact about our vast agricultural potential: Nigeria boasts 84 million hectares of arable land, of which only 40% is currently cultivated, according to the 2017 Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) report on ‘Boosting Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria.’ This presents an enormous opportunity for agricultural expansion.”

The CGC also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Image Merchants Promotion Limited for their dedication to publishing the book, recognising it as a valuable contribution to advancing public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service.

Earlier, Tope Fasua, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Economy in the Office of the Vice President, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima and served as Chairman of the occasion, addressed the gathering on the theme “Leveraging Effective Communication for Revenue Generation and Economic Development.”

The Vice President applauded Image Merchants Promotion Limited, the publishers of Economic Confidential magazine and other publications, for their consistency in research and investigative journalism over the decades.

He said, “The theme for today’s engagement is indeed timely and highly relevant. Leveraging effective communication for revenue generation and economic development is crucial for achieving the purposes of governance, which is economic and social development for people’s well-being.”

The Vice President also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its role in safeguarding the nation’s borders and boosting the economy, noting, “We all know how important the contributions of the Nigeria Customs Service are as a regulator and facilitator of international trade—and how it adds value to the country through public relations management.”

On his part, Yushau Shauib, the Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, expressed deep appreciation for CGC Adeniyi’s exceptional ability to engage and respect members of the fourth estate of the realm.

Shauib also praised Adeniyi for his unique ability to maintain strong relations with the media while upholding his responsibilities as the Comptroller-General of Customs.

He further explained the rationale behind publishing the book, noting that it is a tribute to Adeniyi’s transformative leadership and commitment to transparent and effective public relations within the Customs Service.

The book launch was attended by distinguished guests, including members of the NCS Management Team, key public relations stakeholders, and industry experts who shared insights on the importance of effective communication in public service.