Customs, American Business Council forge stronger trade alliance to boost ease of doing business
By Maureen Aguta
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have reinforced their commitment to deepening trade relations and resolving operational challenges affecting businesses through sustained public-private sector collaboration.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level quarterly engagement held on Monday, June 16, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja, where both parties explored strategies to enhance trade facilitation, strengthen security, and expand economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Speaking at the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, underscored the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement, describing dialogue with the business community as critical to improving the country’s trade environment.
According to him, the Customs Service intends to institutionalise the quarterly consultations as a permanent feature of its operational calendar, reflecting the value it places on stakeholder input and collaboration.
“It is our intention that we will institutionalise this as a permanent feature of the Customs calendar because of the importance we attach to this kind of engagement,” Adeniyi stated.
The Customs boss also updated participants on ongoing trade facilitation reforms, including the implementation of the Advance Ruling System, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Post Clearance Audit initiatives, the B’Odogwu digital platform, and improvements in cargo scanning integration and clearance processes designed to accelerate trade and improve efficiency at the nation’s ports.
Representatives of the American Business Council commended the Service for the reforms and acknowledged the progress recorded in modernising customs operations. However, they urged the Service to establish faster mechanisms for addressing outstanding concerns affecting business operations and investment activities.
President of the American Business Council, Nneka Enwereji, described the engagement as highly productive and applauded the Customs leadership for its commitment to creating a more business-friendly environment.
“This session has been phenomenal and demonstrates your commitment to improving ease of doing business. You have raised the bar, and there is a lot that can be learned from this,” Enwereji said.
The meeting further highlighted the growing partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the organised private sector, with both sides expressing optimism that stronger collaboration would enhance trade efficiency, attract investment, and strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and the United States.