Following the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) notable achievements in the first quarter of 2024, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has underscored the service’s proactive stance in addressing challenges encountered in preceding quarters. In a press briefing held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the service headquarters in Abuja, CGC Adeniyi outlined several measures being implemented to tackle these challenges effectively.
Central to Adeniyi’s discourse was the introduction of cutting-edge technologies such as geospatial technology, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence. These advancements are aimed at bolstering the NCS’s surveillance capabilities along Nigeria’s expansive 4,000-kilometer borders, thereby curbing smuggling activities and augmenting enforcement capacities.
Highlighting the recent Time Release Study (TRS) conducted under his leadership during the first quarter, Adeniyi emphasized its role in identifying procedural bottlenecks within the clearance process. This initiative has facilitated the adoption of measures geared towards fostering transparency and enhancing collaboration among key stakeholders to streamline trade facilitation efforts.
Acknowledging the invaluable support extended to the Nigeria Customs Service by various government ministries including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to transparency. He underscored the regular publication of TRS reports as a testament to this commitment.
Adeniyi also shed light on the forthcoming launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program, endorsed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). This initiative seeks to recognize businesses exhibiting robust compliance with customs regulations and security standards. Anticipating its mid-April rollout, Adeniyi expects the AEO program to expedite customs clearance processes, reduce inspections, and provide priority treatment to participants, thereby enhancing their credibility and competitiveness in the global market.
Furthermore, Adeniyi elaborated on the NCS’s endeavor to facilitate trade through the implementation of Advanced Rulings. Scheduled to be operationalized in the coming months, this mechanism empowers traders to seek clarity and certainty regarding the classification, origin, and valuation of goods prior to importation. Adeniyi stressed that Advanced Rulings would offer traders predictability and consistency in customs procedures, thereby fostering a conducive business environment.
In conclusion, Adeniyi reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to advancing trade facilitation in Nigeria. By leveraging innovative technologies, forging partnerships with stakeholders, and implementing progressive policies, the NCS aims to propel economic growth and enhance the country’s global trade competitiveness.
