NCS: Outdated customs laws threaten modern trade, Adeniyi tells senate

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has warned that outdated provisions in Nigeria’s customs laws could undermine the country’s ability to respond effectively to the rapidly changing global trade environment.

Adeniyi made the submission on August 5, 2026, while addressing members of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs at a capacity-building retreat organised by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

He urged the lawmakers to review and amend relevant provisions of the customs law, arguing that some existing provisions had become difficult to implement or had been overtaken by developments in international trade and customs administration.

According to him, aligning the legal framework with contemporary realities is essential to sustaining the reforms and digital transformation currently being implemented by the Service.

“While some provisions had worked as intended, others had proved difficult to apply or had been overtaken by the rapidly changing trade environment,” Adeniyi said.

He explained that the retreat was intended to provide members of the Senate committee with a deeper understanding of modern customs operations and the ongoing transformation within the NCS, thereby strengthening the quality of legislative oversight.

Adeniyi acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NCS Board, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, for the Service’s reform agenda.

He, however, stressed that the sustainability of the reforms required stronger statutory protection that would transcend individual administrations.

The CGC said the objective was to establish a legal framework capable of supporting modern customs administration, facilitating legitimate trade, improving revenue collection and strengthening national security.

Providing further insight into the transformation programme, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Tijani Abbey, highlighted several initiatives being implemented by the NCS.

These include the indigenous B’Odogwu Trade Management System, intelligence-driven post-clearance audits, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, coordinated border management and end-to-end digital integration of customs processes.

Abbey said the initiatives were designed to simplify trade processes, enhance compliance, improve revenue performance and strengthen the Service’s ability to respond to emerging security and economic challenges.

Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs, Senator Isah Jibrin, commended the NCS for surpassing its revenue targets despite the operational challenges confronting the Service.

Jibrin assured the NCS of the National Assembly’s willingness to provide legislative support where necessary, urging the Service to clearly identify its challenges and work towards addressing them.

“Where you require legislative backing, please do not hesitate to call on us,” he said.

The senator also congratulated Adeniyi on his re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, describing the achievement as evidence of Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration.

The retreat highlighted the growing need for closer collaboration between the NCS and the legislature as Nigeria seeks to build a customs system that is digitally driven, trade-friendly, revenue-efficient and capable of operating within the realities of contemporary international commerce.