Customs Engages Manufacturers in New Agenda for Wider Mutual Partnership
• Forges strategic alliance for regional growth with S’South Devt Commission
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has emphasised the need for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to build a lasting friendship and partnership through a deeper understanding of their respective challenges.
Adeniyi has also pledged the Service’s full support for the South-South Development Commission, saying the new body could serve as a driver of regional economic growth through strategic collaboration with Customs.
The CGC made this known last week when the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, paid him a courtesy visit at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
He also expressed the need to set a new agenda that extends beyond immediate concerns, according to a press statement by the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada
CGC Adeniyi explained that enduring collaboration could only be achieved when both parties approach issues with clarity and commitment, stressing that broader stakeholder buy-in remains central to sustainable solutions.
He acknowledged MAN’s structured internal processes, where issues are debated across its ten sectors and more than sixty sub-sectors before policy positions are harmonised by its Economic Policy Committee.
“I have always said that the only way for you to appreciate what can bring lasting friendship, collaboration and partnership is when we understand from both sides what the issues are. When you are challenged, you become quite sensitive to everything that will get you out of the situation you find yourself in.” CGC Adeniyi explained.
He highlighted several initiatives that the Service has rolled out to improve trade facilitation, including the Authorised Economic Operator programme, Advanced Ruling, Corporate Social Responsibility framework, the indigenous B’Odogwu platform, and the creation of dedicated special desks.
The Customs Boss also disclosed that preparations were underway for a conference later in November to bring Customs and critical stakeholders to chart a way forward towards the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, “We are looking forward to a situation where we will set an agenda that goes beyond the issues on the ground. There are a number of initiatives already on course, and we would like MAN to be part of them.”
He added, “After your consultations, you can get back to us so that we can fix a date and venue for a wider meeting. If it would make it easier, we are ready to travel to Lagos to meet with manufacturers at their base. We need to keep this conversation going without delay.”
He noted that such a forum would provide an opportunity for robust discussion with all stakeholders across MAN’s diverse sectors.
On his part, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, said there should be no gap or roadblock between the two institutions, describing Customs as an indispensable partner in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“I am happy that once again we are reigniting what we used to have. Many developments in the economy require us to accelerate this engagement, expand it and make it work.” Ajayi-Kadiri said.
He commended the CGC for his openness to ideas and stressed that MAN’s structured approach to policy ensures that every decision reflects the realities manufacturers face across the country.
He added that the association’s concern was to strengthen engagement, not confrontation, especially on issues that affect industries under pressure.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged the Service’s full support for the South-South Development Commission, saying the new body could serve as a driver of regional economic growth through strategic collaboration with Customs.
Adeniyi made the pledge when the Commission’s Managing Director, Usoro Akpabio, led her team on a courtesy visit to the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
CGC Adeniyi, who congratulated the MD on her appointment, noted that the 2023 Customs Act had introduced far-reaching reforms whose implementation required broad consultations, while also assuring that Customs would keep conversations with the Commission open to ensure inclusivity and shared growth.
He added that, given the urgency of the issues at hand, both institutions should meet again soon to mobilise broader stakeholder participation.
He further congratulated the Commission on its inauguration, stressing that Customs’ management, including officers from outside the South-South are committed to supporting its mandate.
CGC Adeniyi suggested the creation of a joint working team that would serve as a sounding board for partnership, especially in areas such as trade facilitation, border management, and economic integration.
CGC recalled that the Nigeria Customs Service recently launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, designed to give back to host communities through projects that promote education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
He stated that the initiative reflects the Service’s broader commitment to inclusive growth and strengthens its partnerships with stakeholders across regions.
On her part, the Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, commended the reforms and modernisation efforts undertaken by Customs, describing them as exemplary.
She explained that the Commission, barely three weeks after inauguration, had been saddled with a broad mandate covering the blue economy, agriculture, human capital development, infrastructure, and utilities across the entire South-South region.
Akpabio emphasised the importance of Customs in the region’s economic blueprint, given its substantial presence in seaports, oil and gas operations, free trade zones, and border activities.
She assured that the Commission would pursue a strategic alliance with the Service that would outlive his tenure, promoting transparency, regional growth, and national development.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has emphasised the need for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to build a lasting friendship and partnership through a deeper understanding of their respective challenges.
Adeniyi has also pledged the Service’s full support for the South-South Development Commission, saying the new body could serve as a driver of regional economic growth through strategic collaboration with Customs.
The CGC made this known last week when the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, paid him a courtesy visit at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
He also expressed the need to set a new agenda that extends beyond immediate concerns, according to a press statement by the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada
CGC Adeniyi explained that enduring collaboration could only be achieved when both parties approach issues with clarity and commitment, stressing that broader stakeholder buy-in remains central to sustainable solutions.
He acknowledged MAN’s structured internal processes, where issues are debated across its ten sectors and more than sixty sub-sectors before policy positions are harmonised by its Economic Policy Committee.
“I have always said that the only way for you to appreciate what can bring lasting friendship, collaboration and partnership is when we understand from both sides what the issues are. When you are challenged, you become quite sensitive to everything that will get you out of the situation you find yourself in.” CGC Adeniyi explained.
He highlighted several initiatives that the Service has rolled out to improve trade facilitation, including the Authorised Economic Operator programme, Advanced Ruling, Corporate Social Responsibility framework, the indigenous B’Odogwu platform, and the creation of dedicated special desks.
The Customs Boss also disclosed that preparations were underway for a conference later in November to bring Customs and critical stakeholders to chart a way forward towards the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, “We are looking forward to a situation where we will set an agenda that goes beyond the issues on the ground. There are a number of initiatives already on course, and we would like MAN to be part of them.”
He added, “After your consultations, you can get back to us so that we can fix a date and venue for a wider meeting. If it would make it easier, we are ready to travel to Lagos to meet with manufacturers at their base. We need to keep this conversation going without delay.”
He noted that such a forum would provide an opportunity for robust discussion with all stakeholders across MAN’s diverse sectors.
On his part, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, said there should be no gap or roadblock between the two institutions, describing Customs as an indispensable partner in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“I am happy that once again we are reigniting what we used to have. Many developments in the economy require us to accelerate this engagement, expand it and make it work.” Ajayi-Kadiri said.
He commended the CGC for his openness to ideas and stressed that MAN’s structured approach to policy ensures that every decision reflects the realities manufacturers face across the country.
He added that the association’s concern was to strengthen engagement, not confrontation, especially on issues that affect industries under pressure.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged the Service’s full support for the South-South Development Commission, saying the new body could serve as a driver of regional economic growth through strategic collaboration with Customs.
Adeniyi made the pledge when the Commission’s Managing Director, Usoro Akpabio, led her team on a courtesy visit to the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
CGC Adeniyi, who congratulated the MD on her appointment, noted that the 2023 Customs Act had introduced far-reaching reforms whose implementation required broad consultations, while also assuring that Customs would keep conversations with the Commission open to ensure inclusivity and shared growth.
He added that, given the urgency of the issues at hand, both institutions should meet again soon to mobilise broader stakeholder participation.
He further congratulated the Commission on its inauguration, stressing that Customs’ management, including officers from outside the South-South are committed to supporting its mandate.
CGC Adeniyi suggested the creation of a joint working team that would serve as a sounding board for partnership, especially in areas such as trade facilitation, border management, and economic integration.
CGC recalled that the Nigeria Customs Service recently launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, designed to give back to host communities through projects that promote education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
He stated that the initiative reflects the Service’s broader commitment to inclusive growth and strengthens its partnerships with stakeholders across regions.
On her part, the Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, commended the reforms and modernisation efforts undertaken by Customs, describing them as exemplary.
She explained that the Commission, barely three weeks after inauguration, had been saddled with a broad mandate covering the blue economy, agriculture, human capital development, infrastructure, and utilities across the entire South-South region.
Akpabio emphasised the importance of Customs in the region’s economic blueprint, given its substantial presence in seaports, oil and gas operations, free trade zones, and border activities.
She assured that the Commission would pursue a strategic alliance with the Service that would outlive his tenure, promoting transparency, regional growth, and national development.
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