Nigerian Shippers’ Council And Customs Service Forge Partnership To Boost Cross-Border Trade.
A significant step towards enhancing trade efficiency in Nigeria was taken as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) paid a working visit to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to strengthen ties and promote seamless cross-border trade. The visit, led by NSC Executive Secretary Barrister Akutah Pius Ukeyima, underscores the council’s commitment to fostering inter-agency collaboration and streamlining trade processes, a move hailed as a vital boost for Nigeria’s economic growth.
The NSC, as the port economic regulator in the Marine and Blue Economy sector, is tasked with facilitating trade and protecting the interests of Nigerian shippers by promoting fair trade practices. During the visit to the NCS headquarters in Abuja, Ukeyima expressed the council’s eagerness to partner closely with the Customs Service to address challenges in cross-border trade. He highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling inefficiencies, reducing delays, and ensuring compliance with international trade standards, which are critical for boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, warmly received the NSC delegation and commended their proactive approach. He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to trade facilitation, noting that stronger collaboration with the NSC would enhance the efficiency of cargo clearance and reduce bottlenecks at Nigeria’s borders. Adeniyi emphasized the Customs Service’s ongoing efforts to modernize operations, including the adoption of digital tools to streamline processes and improve transparency.
The partnership aims to address key issues such as informal cross-border trade, which often leads to revenue losses, and to formalize processes through initiatives like the Border Information Centre (BIC). The BIC, a project spearheaded by the NSC, provides critical information to traders, enabling smoother and more compliant cross-border transactions. Additionally, the NSC’s efforts to develop Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) at strategic locations like Lokoja in Kogi State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State were discussed. These VTAs, equipped with facilities such as fuel stations, motels, and automated cargo tracking systems, are designed to support truck drivers and enhance the logistics chain.
Ukeyima also highlighted the NSC’s role in confirming the reasonableness of freight, demurrage, and charter party fees on behalf of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a measure aimed at curbing illegal capital flight. The council’s implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) and the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) further demonstrates its commitment to automating port processes and improving efficiency.
This collaboration is expected to yield tangible benefits for Nigerian traders and the wider economy. By aligning efforts, the NSC and NCS aim to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance with customs regulations, and create a more predictable trading environment. The partnership also supports Nigeria’s broader economic goals, including leveraging transport infrastructure to drive down costs and improve the competitiveness of exported goods.
Stakeholders in the shipping and trade sectors have welcomed the move, describing it as a positive development for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem. Dr. Chukwuemeka Eze, a logistics expert, noted, “This partnership signals a new era of cooperation that could significantly reduce delays and costs for shippers, ultimately benefiting consumers and businesses alike.”
As the NSC and NCS move forward with their joint efforts, the focus will be on implementing practical solutions to enhance cross-border trade. With both agencies committed to digitalization, transparency, and collaboration, Nigeria is poised to strengthen its position as a key player in regional and global trade.