Kano/Jigawa Customs Deepens Stakeholder Engagement to Boost Ease of Doing Business
By Opeyemi Omodara
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has commenced the 2026 operational year with a strategic stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening trade facilitation and promoting the ease of doing business within the state.
The engagement, held on Sunday, 4 January 2026, brought together members of the Kano business community under the umbrella of the Association of Kano Business Community (AKANOBCO) in Kano State.
According to a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Tahir Balarabe, the one-day sensitisation programme focused on key Customs trade facilitation initiatives, including the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, the Advance Ruling, and procedures for Customs Licensed Agents.
Participants were encouraged to leverage these initiatives to enhance their import and export operations, particularly given Kano’s strategic position as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Usman Adamu, commended the business community for their continued cooperation and compliance with Customs regulations, stating, “Your support, timely documentation and adherence to procedures have greatly enhanced our operations.” He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining regular stakeholder engagements, stressing that “continuous dialogue remains essential to building trust, simplifying processes and improving service delivery.”
DC Adamu also disclosed that the Command would seek approval from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for the translation of key Customs guidelines, including import and export prohibition lists and sensitisation materials, into Hausa language to enhance accessibility and understanding among traders.
He noted that effective communication and inclusive engagement remain crucial to achieving seamless trade processes and enhancing economic activity across the Command’s area of responsibility.
As part of the event, the immediate past Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar (rtd), was honoured by various business associations in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to trade facilitation during his tenure.
In his remarks, the celebrant urged stakeholders to fully embrace the modern trade facilitation tools introduced by the Service in line with global best practices.
In his part, the President of the Kano Business Community Association, Alhaji Sabiu Bako, commended the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, for deploying innovative technologies to facilitate business operations. He assured the Service of the business community’s continued compliance and commitment to sustaining the existing cordial relationship with the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
The engagement was attended by several prominent stakeholders, including the National President of the Kano State Traders Union (KASTU), Dr Dan Abdulaziz, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaya, members of the Kano Business Community Board, the Chairman of the Kano Market Chairmen Forum Association, and other key industry players.
