As part of ongoing efforts to enhance border management and facilitate trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled its 2025 Enforcement Strategy aimed at removing trade bottlenecks, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and supporting legitimate trade.
In a statement issued by the NCS on Monday, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country. The move is designed to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons. To further enhance efficiency, the NCS will adopt intelligence-driven approaches, including the deployment of geospatial tools and advanced technologies.
“Our focus will now be on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to deliver effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations,” CGC Adeniyi stated.
In line with this strategy, the NCS also announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), established in 2019 during the partial border closure under the codename “Ex-Swift Response.” The JBPT, which evolved into a coordinated multi-agency operation, has been instrumental in curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with trade and security regulations.
“The NCS deeply appreciates the invaluable contributions of our partner agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s land borders. Their cooperation has been pivotal to the success of the JBPT since its inception,” the statement read.
The NCS assured stakeholders and the general public that these changes would not compromise border security or trade facilitation. Instead, they mark a shift towards modernised customs operations aimed at boosting compliance, enhancing national security, and ensuring economic growth.
While urging all stakeholders to support the fight against economic sabotage, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and protecting the well-being of all Nigerians.
The reforms reflect a significant step in the Customs Service’s drive to strengthen Nigeria’s trade landscape and border enforcement mechanisms.
-END-
Leave a Reply