By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and key American business organisations have renewed efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations, improve customs administration and create a more favourable investment climate in Nigeria.
The commitment was expressed at a quarterly engagement involving the NCS, the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC) and the American Business Council (ABC) at the Service's ICT Auditorium in Maitama, Abuja, on October 28, 2026.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the engagement was aimed at deepening economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Niagwan reaffirmed the Service's commitment to reforms, digital transformation, operational efficiency and improved engagement with stakeholders, stressing that these measures were essential to building a modern and transparent customs administration.
She said the NCS would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security and compliance with relevant regulations.
According to her in a statement on Thursday,, the meeting provided an opportunity to address business concerns, exchange ideas and strengthen cooperation with American companies already operating in Nigeria and prospective investors.
She identified predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, prompt cargo clearance and efficient dispute resolution as critical factors in improving the ease of doing business and strengthening investor confidence.
On modernisation, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted ongoing efforts to automate licence and permit applications as part of the Service's digital transformation agenda.
Adebakin also disclosed plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports and border stations to improve cargo examination and streamline trade processes.
She said the Service was progressively adopting paperless administrative procedures and urged businesses to provide feedback on operational challenges to support continuous improvement.
The President of the US-Africa Business Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, commended the NCS for its role in supporting Nigeria's economic growth.
Gaither observed that efficient customs operations were vital to ensuring the smooth movement of goods and benefiting the wider economy.
"When Customs works well, when trade is facilitated, people are the ultimate beneficiaries," she said.
She added that effective customs administration would help unlock investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, critical minerals, healthcare and the digital economy.
Gaither further acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between the NCS and American businesses, expressing support for efforts to strengthen the partnership.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, praised the Service for improvements in trade facilitation, transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Olele also congratulated the NCS on its ranking among the leading agencies in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment.
The Council highlighted progress in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Advance Rulings and dispute resolution, noting that the quarterly meetings had provided a platform for resolving persistent challenges affecting businesses.
The engagement reinforced the need for sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the American business community to promote efficient trade procedures, attract investment and strengthen economic ties between both countries.