The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has restated the agency's unwavering dedication to facilitating legitimate trade, firmly stating that this goal is inseparable from strict adherence to regulations. He made this declaration during a high-level engagement with officers and stakeholders in Kano.
Core Values as Foundation for Trade
The engagement, which took place on Thursday, December 19, 2025, was part of the CGC's official visit to the Kano/Jigawa Area Command. Addressing the gathering, Adeniyi laid out a clear principle: transparency, integrity, and full compliance with Customs laws are non-negotiable prerequisites for smooth trade operations.
He directly charged officers of the command to uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism. "The strength of the Nigeria Customs Service lies in the integrity, dedication, and discipline of its officers," Adeniyi asserted. He emphasized that without these core values, sustainable trade facilitation and national development would remain elusive.
Technology and Stakeholder Partnership Drive Reforms
During the interactive session, the Comptroller-General opened the floor for constructive ideas to ease legitimate trade, with the caveat of strict procedural compliance. "For us, the basic requirement is compliance. Once there is compliance, we are open to ideas that will facilitate trade," he clarified.
He pointed to ongoing technological reforms as key drivers of efficiency. Adeniyi specifically highlighted the impact of the indigenous Customs clearance platform, B'Odogwu, in enhancing transparency. He also noted that the deployment of electronic tracking devices on transit containers is already yielding positive results, leading to the interception of diverted goods and the arrest of offenders.
"Technology will make it increasingly difficult for anyone to divert cargo. We are already seeing results, and we will sustain this momentum," he assured the stakeholders.
Leadership and Collaboration Praised
The CGC took a moment to commend the Customs Area Controller for Kano/Jigawa Command, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, for his exemplary leadership. He praised Abubakar's performance in revenue generation and stakeholder engagement, describing him as one of the Service's best-performing Area Controllers.
"Comptroller Zurmi has taken stakeholder engagement to a new level. This is why he was recognised as the best Area Controller in stakeholder management during our last award night," Adeniyi stated.
In his response, Comptroller Abubakar Dalhatu thanked the stakeholders for their cooperation, describing them as critical partners. "What we are witnessing in Kano is true partnership. Stakeholders have supported the command in different ramifications. This reflects trust, shared responsibility, and mutual commitment," he concluded.
Representatives from various sectors at the event expressed satisfaction with the NCS's reforms, noting improved synergy, openness, and efforts aimed at boosting compliance, revenue optimization, and trade facilitation.
