Progressive Maritime Association of Lagos - PMAL Rc No: 125486.

07/05/2026

Clearing Agents Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Cargo Blockages, Extortion by Maritime Police

A group of Concerned Licensed Customs Agents and Stakeholders have sent an urgent SOS letter...

01/04/2026

Nigeria Bans Vehicle Imports Without Prior Certification

Nigeria's government mandates pre-shipment vehicle import certification to improve road safety and stop substandard cars. No certificate, no entry.

01/04/2026

Customs Drives AfCFTA Implementation as Nigeria Launches 3-Day Training Programme

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by commencing a three-day capacity-building programme on Rules of Origin.

The training, which began on 31 March 2026 and will end on 2 April 2026, aims to equip stakeholders with the technical knowledge needed to enhance Nigeria's participation in intra-African trade.

Declaring the programme open, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Strategic Research and Policy, Nafiu Isiaku, described the initiative as critical to strengthening both trade facilitation and enforcement.

"The Rules of Origin constitute a very critical pillar of economic integration. Their correct interpretation and implementation are fundamental to trade preference, transparency, and competitiveness," he said.

He noted that the workshop is structured to provide both technical knowledge and practical skills, including planning, ex*****on, and evaluation, to ensure effective nationwide implementation.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of the AfCFTA, Olusegun Olutayo, described the training as a turning point in Nigeria's transition from policy discussions to full implementation.

"This agreement must not remain at the level of policy; it must translate into jobs, income, and real opportunities for Nigerians," he said.

He emphasised the need to scale awareness and equip businesses with practical knowledge, particularly on the Rules of Origin, to enable them to compete effectively across African markets.

The Coordinator also expressed appreciation to the Presidency and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to economic growth.

He further commended development partners, including the World Customs Organisation and the European Union, for their continued technical and capacity-building support.

Participants were urged to take the training seriously and ensure that the knowledge gained is effectively applied, so that no Nigerian business is left behind due to a lack of awareness.

The programme is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria's readiness to maximise the benefits of AfCFTA and strengthen its competitiveness in continental trade.

Oyedokun Sheriff

01/04/2026

https://pinnacletime.ng/clearing-agents-protests-police-continued-disruption-of-activities/

Laments Loss of Trade, Revenue Due To FG Urge IGP Disu To Call Lagos Airport CP To Order BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs

20/03/2026

ANLCA Blasts MSC Shipping MD for Citing 4% FOB Charge to Justify Tariff Hike

—Says Remark Broke Down Meeting

—Says Remark Broke Down Meeting The Coordinator, Western Zone of the Association of Nigeria Licensed...

19/03/2026

Customs Probes Fatal Incident During Anti-Smuggling Operation In Osogbo -

19/03/2026

Comptroller Aliyu Reinforces Security, Traditional Ties in Ogun Following Officer’s Death

The Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Gambo Aliyu, has led a strategic delegation across the Ogun State security corridor on Monday, 16 March 2026.

The visit to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Police Force, and the palace of the Alake of Egbaland comes in the wake of recent coordinated operations against drug smuggling along the Ogun corridor, which tragically resulted in the death of a Customs officer.

Comptroller Aliyu said the engagement was aimed at reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance against the smuggling of Cannabis Indica and other contraband.

"This visit comes against the backdrop of our recent coordinated onslaught against the smuggling of illicit drugs along the border corridor, which culminated in the demise of one of our gallant officers," Aliyu stated. "The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to leverage our robust interagency coordination to bring these saboteurs to justice, in a deliberate effort to rid the nation of substance abuse that threatens our peace and development."

At the NDLEA, Ogun State Command, the Commander of Narcotics, Tijjani Rabe, described the visit as a “seed of professional collaboration”, noting the significance of the Comptroller’s outreach beyond his Lagos base to strengthen operations in the Ogun corridor.

"Our doors and windows are wide open for intelligence sharing," Rabe assured. "We will leverage our expertise in drug enforcement and your professionalism in border patrol to control the menace of drug imports into this country."

Similarly, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, emphasised that the proximity of Lagos and Ogun creates a singular security theatre. "In the spirit of partnership, we don't have a choice but to continue to work together. At all times, we are available to support your cause."

Comptroller Aliyu also extended the engagement to the traditional institution, visiting the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Gbadebo, and appealing to the monarch to use the "palace’s voice" to make smuggling and drug use a cultural taboo.

"I come here not just as Comptroller, but as your son, to seek your royal blessings in a battle that threatens our greatest asset—our youth. Smuggling and drug abuse are twin evils eroding the fabric of our society, flooding our markets with counterfeit goods, undermining legitimate businesses and starving our economy", Aliyu said.

Oba Gbadebo responded with prayers for the officers' safety and a firm commitment to the partnership. The monarch pledged to use his royal influence to decree zero tolerance for illicit activities within his domain.



Oyedokun Sheriff. A 💯

19/03/2026

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIA CUSTOMS, HMRC STRENGTHEN STRATEGIC COOPERATION TO ADVANCE TRADE FACILITATION, DIGITAL BORDER MANAGEMENT

1. In furtherance of its commitment to enhancing international customs cooperation and advancing trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its strategic engagement with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom. This development followed a high-level bilateral meeting held in London on 18 March 2026 under the framework of the Nigeria–United Kingdom Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), on the margins of the State Visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to the United Kingdom.

2. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and Ms Megan Shaw, Head of International Customs and Border Engagement at HMRC, led the bilateral engagement. Discussions centred on advancing customs modernisation, strengthening data transparency in bilateral trade flows, and expanding operational cooperation between both administrations, with a view to improving efficiency and integrity across the Nigeria–United Kingdom trade corridor.

3. The Comptroller-General emphasised that effective customs cooperation remains a critical enabler of economic growth and sustainable trade development. He noted that Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a long-standing economic relationship supported by active trade across key sectors, including industrial goods, agriculture, energy, and consumer products. He further stated that customs administrations serve as the frontline institutions responsible for ensuring that trade flows between both countries are transparent, secure, and mutually beneficial.

4. Both administrations acknowledged the existence of some gaps in bilateral trade data, identifying it as a structural issue requiring coordinated resolution.
Available statistics indicate that while approximately £504 million in UK-origin goods were recorded as imports into Nigeria in 2024, the United Kingdom reported exports to Nigeria valued at approximately £1.7 billion for the same period. To address this gap, both parties agreed to explore establishing a structured pre-arrival data exchange framework between their respective digital customs platforms to enhance risk management, improve data reconciliation, and strengthen compliance monitoring.

5. Furthermore, the engagement provided an opportunity for both administrations to present their respective customs modernisation programmes, including the United Kingdom’s advancements in artificial intelligence-driven trade tools, digital verification systems, and real-time analytics capabilities. The discussions underscored the importance of deeper collaboration in technology deployment and digital border management, while also producing key outcomes, including the development of a Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Framework, the commencement of technical scoping for capacity-building and knowledge exchange, and the establishment of a joint technical engagement mechanism under the ETIP framework.

6. To this end, the NCS reiterates its commitment to deepening international partnerships as part of its broader modernisation agenda to promote transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in Nigeria’s trading environment. The Service also assures stakeholders that insights from this engagement will strengthen its operational capacity, enhance trade facilitation, and support Nigeria’s economic reform objectives under the Renewed Hope programme.

ABDULLAHI MAIWADA, PhD, mnipr, mniia
Deputy Comptroller of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
for Comptroller-General of Customs
19 March 2025.



Oyedokun Sheriff. A 💯

19/03/2026

HAPPENING NOW: Freight Forwarders Picket MSC Shipping, Others Over Hike in Charges

The various Freight Forwarding associations in the Nigerian maritime and blue economy space have today,...

10/03/2026

Join us today, 10th March 2026 by 10:00 AM on Customs Talk on NCBN 106.7FM as DC TS Saulawa (DPM OPS) discusses the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Investigation and Report Writing.

official_customsng
Nigeria Customs Service

07/03/2026

Wharf Rats Resurface at Tin Can Port, Target Imported Lexus Vehicles

Clearing agents at the Tin Can Island Port have raised a fresh alarm over the...