Nigeria Customs Partners Benin Republic Counterpart

to Enhance Trade Facilitation 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigerian Customs Service has partnered the Republic of Benin Customs Administration to manage cross-border trade between the two Countries. 

Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi made this known on Monday, 11th September 2023, while declaring open a two-day interactive session between the Nigeria Customs Service and Benin Republic Customs in Abuja.

The interactive session aimed at strengthening existing bilateral trade ties and cooperation between the two countries, which will pave way for a comprehensive mechanism to harmonize the import prohibition lists of the two countries.

Speaking at the meeting, the Ag. CGC appreciated the Benin Customs and Embassy of the country for expressing interest in collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance trade facilitation.

He said, “It is our hope that the program will address the issues of trade and set a roadmap for implementation of new strategies that will enhance the economy and revenue in Nigeria and Benin Republic. Thus, our organizations need to come up with ideas that will address the issues of transit and other progressive measures.”

The Ag. CGC added that with the increasing global security challenges, the need for both customs administrations to work in synergy cannot be over-emphasized. "This mutual collaboration will help boost our relationship and also improve the economy of both two nations." 

Border Security: Customs Strengthen Relationship with Nigerian Army

  to fight Smuggling

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a bid to seamlessly extend humanitarian support to victims of insurgency at Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camps and also fight against smuggling and counter-terrorism, the Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened the long existing relationship and formidable bond between the Service and Nigeria Army.

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed the need for the two agencies to actively collaborate more in curbing smuggling and other border threats, while commending the Nigerian Army’s efforts in combating the menace of insecurity in Nigeria. 

Ag. CGC Adewale stated this on Monday, 11th September 2023, when he led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The Ag. Comptroller-General, while congratulating the Chief of Army Staff, stressed that Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja's appointment is no longer news, but  felt obliged to congratulate him on his well-deserved position. 

To him, "The seamless collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Army would provide the opportunity for the two agencies to work together and improve their expertise in the areas of fight against smuggling, counter-terrorism, intelligence and extending humanitarian support to the public.

“We need this active collaboration with the Nigerian Army to enable us to kickstart our social program of distributing relief items to the victims of insurgency at IDP Camps, and we want the Nigerian Army to provide us with security and logistics while conveying this stuff.” Ag. CGC said.

He also appreciated the long-existing relationship and formidable bond between the two agencies saying, “We have collaborated in several missions that succeeded in curbing smuggling, hence the need to form a formidable force to fight against enemies of the state.

“I wish to extend our sincere request to strengthen our ties to address the illegal inflow of dangerous goods and other threats to national sovereignty. ” 

He added that the steadfast support that the Nigerian Army gives to Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service has enhanced their skills in many areas.

In response, the COAS, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, thanked the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs for visiting him and assured him of the Nigerian Army's unflinching support to strengthen the security at the border areas.

According to him, “We must continue to collaborate to make sure we synergize and work closely in the areas of maintaining national security and training, and the Nigerian Army will continue to partner with Customs towards border-related issues and interests across the Federation.”

He maintained that such collaboration would continue to provide valuable opportunities for the Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service to acquire new skills and knowledge, recalling that the two Security agencies have since been good partners in progress.