Customs seeks senate backing for modernisation reforms

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for legislative reforms to its legal framework to align Nigeria’s customs and trade laws with emerging global practices and sustain its ongoing modernisation drive.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the call on August 5, 2026, while speaking at a capacity-building retreat organised for the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday.

Adeniyi said effective legislative oversight of the Service required lawmakers to have a comprehensive understanding of contemporary customs operations.

He explained that the retreat was designed to bridge information gaps and enable members of the Senate committee to assess the Service’s transformation from an informed perspective, while providing the statutory backing required to sustain its modernisation agenda.

According to him, some provisions of the existing legal framework had become difficult to apply, while others had been overtaken by changes in the global trading environment.

“While some provisions had worked as intended, others had proved difficult to apply or had been overtaken by the rapidly changing trade environment.

“We are requesting considerable amendments to ensure the Act remains relevant to fast-moving trade policies and supports the Service’s modernisation agenda,” he said.

The Customs boss also stressed the need for legislative protection of the reforms, saying statutory reinforcement was necessary to ensure the sustainability of the modernisation programme beyond any particular administration.

He acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NCS Board, under the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, but maintained that long-term stability required stronger legal backing.

Speaking on the reforms, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Tijani Abbey, outlined several initiatives being implemented by the Service.

They include the indigenous B’Odogwu Trade Management System, intelligence-driven post-clearance audits, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, coordinated border management and end-to-end digital integration of customs processes.

Abbey said the initiatives were aimed at improving revenue generation, facilitating legitimate trade and strengthening national security.

Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs, Senator Isah Jibrin, commended the NCS for surpassing its revenue targets despite operational challenges.

Jibrin assured the Service of the National Assembly’s readiness to provide the necessary legislative support to sustain its reforms.

“What you need to do is to identify your challenges, try to address them as much as possible, so as to have a much more robust, inclusive, and beyond-budget performance.

“Where you require legislative backing, please do not hesitate to call on us,” he said.

The senator also congratulated Adeniyi on his re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, describing the achievement as a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global trade and customs administration.