UPDATE: NIGERIA CUSTOMS PLEDGES FASTER, SAFER ROUTES FOR NIGER CARGO

NIGERIA CUSTOMS PLEDGES FASTER, SAFER ROUTES FOR NIGER CARGO


6th February, 2026 | ABUJA – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing regional trade, safeguarding transit cargo, and deepening cross-border security cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly the Republic of Niger.

The announcement followed a high-level bilateral meeting between the NCS and the Niger Republic Customs Administration at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja. The session was led by Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and Director-General of Niger Republic Customs, Muhammadu Yaqouba.

The discussions focused on improving the movement of transit goods destined for Niger, enhancing intelligence sharing, addressing security challenges along shared borders, and reducing delays along major transit corridors.

“Our cooperation is shaped not only by shared borders but also by international obligations, particularly Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees landlocked countries access to the sea,” Comptroller-General Adeniyi said.

Adeniyi emphasized the operational challenges faced by landlocked countries like Niger, noting that dependence on neighbouring countries’ ports and infrastructure increases costs and affects competitiveness.

“The NCS remains committed to facilitating trade for landlocked neighbours. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved safe corridors and guaranteed passage for trucks conveying transit goods awaiting clearance,” he added.

Under the new arrangement, cargoes transiting through Nigeria—particularly from Apapa ports and Nigerian airports to neighbouring countries—are expected to be processed and moved within 48 hours, without compromising security or economic interests. Strict measures have also been implemented to prevent the diversion of transit cargo, with non-compliant operators facing stiff sanctions.

The meeting highlighted that regional security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and arms trafficking, require coordinated action. Major-General Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, reaffirmed that Nigeria and Niger share a common resolve to tackle insecurity, noting their deep cultural and historical ties.

“Insecurity in any part of the Sahel affects all of us. Coordinated action on arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and cross-border criminality is essential,” Laka said.

Director-General Yaqouba praised the NCS for its hospitality and described the engagement as a working session between two professional Customs administrations, aimed at improving trade facilitation and border security.

“Prolonged blockages and security challenges prompted this engagement. Cooperation like this ensures legitimate trade thrives while reinforcing regional stability,” he said.

The meeting marked a renewed phase of cooperation between Nigeria and Niger Customs, aimed at streamlining operational processes, reducing logistics costs, and increasing trade volumes, making Nigerian transit corridors more attractive for regional commerce.

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