By Correspondent in Lagos.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to drive industrial growth, streamline trade processes, and strengthen Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr. Bashir Adeniyi, made this known during an engagement session with MAN executives in Lagos.
Adeniyi described the meeting as a “deliberate and constructive platform” to align fiscal responsibilities with industrial development. He stressed that manufacturing remained the backbone of modern economies, and its prosperity was inseparable from national growth.
“Your voices as manufacturers matter. Your experiences help us to understand how customs procedures can either enable or constrain manufacturing excellence. We must continue to build an ecosystem where customs is not a stumbling block but an enabler of growth,” he said.
On the suspension of the four per cent Free On Board (FOB) charge recently directed by the Ministry of Finance, the CGC assured manufacturers that the matter was under review, with decisions to be taken in the interest of trade facilitation, industrial growth, and national revenue stability.
The Customs boss also unveiled plans for a “One-Stop-Shop” trade platform to ease manufacturers’ interaction with customs and other regulatory agencies. According to him, the initiative would simplify documentation, reduce bureaucracy, and enable faster clearance of goods. He added that NCS had reduced checkpoints on highways to cut delays and operational costs for manufacturers.
“The idea is simple: reduce costs without reducing compliance. Our officers are mandated to operate with efficiency, courtesy, and accountability,” Adeniyi said, reaffirming customs’ commitment to structured dialogue and continuous reform.
In his remarks, MAN President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, lauded the NCS for embracing a “new spirit of partnership and openness” since Adeniyi assumed office in 2023. He described the engagement as a revival of a longstanding bond between manufacturers and customs.
“This is a reaffirmation that dialogue remains the best way to resolve operational issues and shape inclusive policies that work for both manufacturers and the economy at large,” Meshioye said.
He urged NCS to institutionalise the MAN-Customs dialogue platform to ensure progress in digitalisation, transparency, and cost reduction. He also called for a review of the four per cent FOB charge and support for MAN’s indigenous customs modernisation platform, B’odogwu, which he said was designed to enhance manufacturers’ interaction with customs.
Meshioye further congratulated Adeniyi on his election as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, the first Nigerian to occupy the position since its establishment in 1952.
“It is not just a personal honour but a national achievement. Under your leadership, we have seen professionalism, innovation, and global recognition of the Nigeria Customs Service like never before. This gives manufacturers confidence in customs as a true partner in national development,” Meshioye said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
