The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS and the American Business Council, ABC have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade relations and resolving challenges affecting business operations through sustained stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
The commitment was reached during a quarterly consultative meeting held at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on June 16, 2026, where discussions focused on trade facilitation, cargo clearance efficiency, security, and strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and the United States.
Speaking at the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the importance of continuous engagement with the private sector, noting that the Service intends to make such consultations a permanent feature of its operations.
“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,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss also updated participants on several trade facilitation reforms being implemented by the Service, including the Advance Ruling System, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Post Clearance Audit procedures, the B’Odogwu digital platform, and ongoing improvements in cargo scanning integration and clearance processes.
According to him, the initiatives are designed to enhance operational efficiency, reduce delays, and improve the overall ease of doing business for importers, exporters, and investors.
Members of the American Business Council commended the Service for its reform efforts and welcomed the opportunity for direct engagement, while urging quicker resolution of operational challenges affecting businesses.
President of the American Business Council, Nneka Enwereji, described the meeting as productive and praised the Customs leadership for its commitment to improving the business environment.
“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.
