American Business Council commends Nigerian Customs reforms, seeks faster resolution of challenges

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have renewed their commitment to strengthening trade relations and improving the ease of doing business through sustained collaboration aimed at addressing operational challenges facing businesses in Nigeria.

The resolution was reached during the quarterly engagement between both organisations held at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on June 16, 2026, where stakeholders reviewed ongoing trade facilitation reforms, security concerns and strategies for enhancing economic and commercial ties between Nigeria and the United States.

Speaking during the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi stressed the importance of regular consultations with stakeholders, noting that the engagement would be institutionalised as a permanent feature of the Service’s calendar.

“It is our intention that we will institutionalise this as a permanent feature of the Customs calendar because of the importance we attach to this kind of engagement,” Adeniyi said.

CGC Adeniyi also briefed participants on developments in key trade facilitation initiatives, including the Advance Ruling system, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Post Clearance Audit, the B’Odogwu platform, and ongoing improvements in scanning integration and cargo clearance procedures aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.

Members of the American Business Council welcomed the reforms and commended the Service’s efforts, while also calling for quicker mechanisms to address outstanding challenges affecting businesses.

President of the American Business Council, Nneka Enwereji, described the meeting as productive and praised the Customs leadership for its commitment to improving the ease of doing business in the country.

“This session has been phenomenal and demonstrates your commitment to improving ease of doing business. You have raised the bar, and there is a lot that can be learned from this,” she said.