The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the American Business Council, ABC, to enhance trade facilitation and boost investor confidence in Nigeria.
Adeniyi gave the assurance on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, when he received a delegation of the American Business Council on a courtesy visit to the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
Welcoming the delegation, the Comptroller-General said the Nigeria Customs Service has made deliberate efforts in recent years to institutionalise transparency, stakeholder consultation, and regular engagement with industry players, noting that effective dialogue is essential for a modern customs administration.
He explained that the Service has prioritised reforms aimed at improving predictability for traders, including the deployment of the One-Stop-Shop initiative across major commands to streamline cargo examination, documentation and clearance processes.
Responding to concerns raised by ABC member companies, Adeniyi assured that Customs would continue to address operational challenges within its mandate. He added that trade facilitation is a shared responsibility among relevant government agencies and stressed the importance of sustained engagement to resolve emerging issues.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Business Council, Mrs Margaret Olele, said the visit was aimed at strengthening ties between the Council and the Nigeria Customs Service.
She acknowledged improvements in port processes, communication channels and the ease of resolving trade-related enquiries, noting that many American companies operating in Nigeria have experienced greater clarity in Customs procedures over the past year.
Olele described predictability and transparency as critical to business operations and commended the modernisation efforts being implemented under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. She also expressed optimism about deepening collaboration to address outstanding concerns.
She thanked the Comptroller-General for personally receiving the delegation, describing it as a demonstration of Customs’ commitment to partnership, and noted that stronger cooperation between the Service and the private sector would significantly enhance Nigeria’s investment climate.
Both parties agreed to institutionalise quarterly engagement sessions to review progress, address emerging challenges and sustain open communication for American companies operating in Nigeria.
Representatives of ExxonMobil, Chevron, Cisco, Mantrac, and the United States Embassy, among others, were present at the meeting.
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