Customs, American Business Council strengthen trade partnership

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have renewed their commitment to strengthening trade relations and addressing business challenges through sustained public-private sector engagement.

The resolution was reached during a quarterly meeting held at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, where discussions focused on trade facilitation, security and measures to deepen economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

The development was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, CSC Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada.

Speaking at the meeting, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service would institutionalise regular consultations with stakeholders to enhance collaboration and improve service delivery.

“It is our intention that we will institutionalise this as a permanent feature of the Customs calendar because of the importance we attach to this kind of engagement,” he said.

Adeniyi also briefed participants on key trade facilitation initiatives being implemented by the Service, including the Advance Ruling system, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Post Clearance Audit, the B’Odogwu platform and ongoing improvements in cargo scanning and clearance procedures.

According to him, the reforms are aimed at boosting efficiency, reducing delays and improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

President of the American Business Council, Nneka Enwereji, commended the Customs Service for the reforms and described the meeting as productive.

“This session has been phenomenal and demonstrates your commitment to improving ease of doing business. You have raised the bar, and there is a lot that can be learned from this,” she said.

Members of the Council also called for faster mechanisms to address outstanding operational challenges affecting businesses.

The meeting highlighted the growing collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the organised private sector in efforts to promote trade, attract investment and strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and the United States.