Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading government agencies in trade facilitation following its outstanding performance in the 2025 Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Compliance Assessment conducted by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

The assessment report, released on July 3, 2026, ranked the NCS among the country’s best-performing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for fully complying with the standards prescribed under the Business Facilitation Act.

Speaking on the assessment, PEBEC Director-General, Zahrah Audu, commended the Service for meeting all compliance requirements while demonstrating significant improvements in the speed, efficiency and responsiveness of its trade-related services.

“The Nigeria Customs Service distinguished itself by meeting all the required standards while recording notable improvements in the timeliness and efficiency of its response to trade-related matters,” Audu said.

She noted that the achievement reflects the Service’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the creation of a more business-friendly trading environment.

According to Audu, the performance aligns with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda and underscores the NCS’s sustained efforts to enhance operational efficiency and improve stakeholders’ experience.

She further disclosed that 98 per cent of the 69 MDAs assessed under the Business Facilitation Act now meet the expected service delivery standards, describing the outcome as clear evidence of the positive impact of the ongoing reforms aimed at improving public service delivery across the country.

The recognition follows a series of strategic reforms implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service to modernise customs administration. These include the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and the Advance Ruling System.

The initiatives have streamlined import and export processes, reduced cargo clearance time, strengthened transparency in customs operations and enhanced Nigeria’s trade facilitation framework, reinforcing the Service’s commitment to supporting economic growth, facilitating legitimate trade and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global trading system.

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has emphasised the need for interoperable Customs systems across Africa, describing seamless digital integration as a critical requirement for the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Customs Modernisation Project.

Adeniyi made the remarks on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, in Lagos during the signing of a 20-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Bergmans Security for the commencement of the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Digital Trade Forum 2026.

The Comptroller-General identified the lack of harmonised digital systems among African Customs administrations as one of the major impediments to the implementation of the continental free trade agreement, stressing that interoperability would significantly improve trade facilitation and cross-border commerce among member states.

“We are indeed delighted because one of the major obstacles that we have faced in this journey of implementing AfCFTA is the interoperability of our systems,” Adeniyi said.

“All Customs administrations cannot operate at the same level, but when we have interoperability, it becomes easier for us all to connect to one system and facilitate trade effectively.”

He described the selection of Bergmans Security to implement the initiative as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s Customs modernisation programme and a strong endorsement of the country’s digital transformation efforts.

“We are delighted that it is a Nigerian company that has been given this platform to extend what they have been doing to the rest of Africa, enabling us to strengthen trade facilitation and accelerate the implementation of AfCFTA,” he added.

Earlier, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, disclosed that the Secretariat adopted Nigeria’s Customs modernisation model after observing the country’s success in deploying digital technologies that have enhanced revenue generation, operational efficiency and Customs administration.

Mene described the partnership with Bergmans Security as a major milestone towards establishing a modern and interoperable Customs ecosystem capable of supporting seamless cross-border trade across the African continent.

“Today, Nigeria is already benefiting from the deployment of these technologies,” he said.

“From our perspective, the continent has much to gain from the model introduced here in Nigeria. That is why we signed this agreement today.

“We believe our partnership with Bergmans Security will help us achieve our objective of building a continental, modern and interoperable Customs system that enables economic operators across Africa to benefit from an expanded market.”

The AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project is expected to deepen Customs cooperation among member states through harmonised digital platforms, strengthen trade facilitation, improve revenue collection, and accelerate the full implementation of the AfCFTA by creating a more efficient, integrated and competitive continental trading environment.

Funso OLOJO and Gloria Odion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit trade with the interception of nine containers laden with narcotics, expired pharmaceutical products and falsified medicines valued at N53.391 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

Speaking during the unveiling of the seizures on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology.

According to Adeniyi, the containers, which initially appeared to contain legitimate imports, were subjected to detailed intelligence analysis and verification that exposed sophisticated concealment methods used by the syndicate.

The seizures comprised:
A 40-foot container (CAAU7569127) containing 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.

Another 40-foot container (HAMU3246311) conveying 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, hidden with two imported vehicles and household items.

A 40-foot container (MRKU3816476) loaded with 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

Another container (TGBU5399178) containing 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, hidden inside 36 cartons of casserole products.

Container HASU4519480 carrying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol (Timakadol).

Container MRKU4961275 containing 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazepine tablets (Termigral brand).

Container PCIU8771576 conveying expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections.

A 20-foot container (MRKU6964435) loaded with Piccan Teething Powder.

Container TCKU7000791 carrying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number (04-6646) and an expiry date of December 2028.

Adeniyi explained that the narcotic consignments would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the expired and falsified pharmaceutical products would be transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation, regulatory action and safe disposal.

“In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA will today be formally handed over to the Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

“Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.

“The remaining goods shall remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law,” the CGC stated.

He stressed that the seizures represented far more than their monetary value.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance and dedication, while also praising the sustained collaboration among the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.

“We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the security of our nation.

“Together with our partner agencies, we remain steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country,” he added.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed that the interception of 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud was the outcome of a painstaking intelligence-driven operation undertaken by the agency’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with foreign partners, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to Marwa, intelligence gathering and surveillance lasted for more than four months before the containers were intercepted.

“Over four months, actionable intelligence was carefully developed, and our marine surveillance officers tracked the vessels and containers throughout their journey until both were successfully intercepted,” he said.

The operation underscores the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and international intelligence sharing in disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks and preventing dangerous narcotics and counterfeit medicines from reaching the Nigerian market.