The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that it is commitment to digital transformation and operational efficiency as it hosted the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC), and the American Business Council (ABC) during a quarterly strategic meeting at its headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said that the engagement was designed to deepen economic cooperation and collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.

He explained that for the NCS, “Our objective is to build a modern, transparent, and responsive Customs administration that facilitates trade while ensuring effective revenue collection, border security, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.”

Represented by the who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan,

In a statement released by the Service, the CGC emphasised that predictable customs procedures, transparent tariff administration, and timely cargo clearance remain vital to boosting investor confidence and improving ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Detailing the Service’s ongoing modernization efforts, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, announced the automation of licence and permit applications alongside plans to deploy 22 additional scanners across seaports, airports, and border stations.

He noted that the agency is actively transitioning to paperless administrative processes to streamline operations.

In her remarks, the President of the US-Africa Business Centre, Kendra Gaither, lauded the NCS for its critical role in driving economic growth, noting that efficient trade facilitation directly benefits the populace across key sectors like agriculture, energy, critical minerals, and the digital economy.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of the American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, commended the Service for its remarkable progress in transparency and stakeholder engagement especially the agency’s top-tier ranking in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Assessment. (The Guardian)