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Customs Brokers Urge Compliance, Seek Stable Policies to Boost Seme Border Trade

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Victoria Silvanus Freight forwarders under the aegis of the Nigeria Licensed Customs Brokers, Seme Border Chapter, have called on traders and other stakeholders to embrace compliance with trade regulations, engage only verified Customs professionals, and reject illicit trade practices, stressing that sustainable business growth depends on transparent and lawful trade procedures. The appeal was made during a sensitisation programme on trade facilitation procedures, anti-smuggling awareness, and the consequences of illicit trade held at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. The programme attracted officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), market leaders, traders, freight forwarders, foreign business operators, particularly Chinese nationals, and licensed Customs brokers. Participants were e...
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Nigeria's Maritime Security Gains Global Recognition as US Lifts Entry Condition

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Victoria Silvanus I nternational shipping companies operating in Nigeria have welcomed the decision of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to remove the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) requirement on vessels departing Nigerian ports for the United States, describing it as a major vote of confidence in the country's maritime security and a development that could open new opportunities for businesses. For years, vessels that had called at Nigerian ports faced additional security scrutiny before entering the United States, a situation that often resulted in delays, extra costs and operational challenges for shipping companies and traders. Industry players believe the removal of the restriction could make it easier for Nigerian exporters to access the American market while encouraging more direct shipping services between both countries. Speaking on the development, Maersk's Terminal Planning Lead for West Africa, Srijesh Subramanian, said the decision sends a strong ...
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Customs Moves to Boost Workforce as 2025 Recruitment Exercise Ends

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Victoria Silvanus The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully concluded the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, with shortlisted candidates completing documentation, physical fitness tests, and medical screenings at the Service's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja. The two-week screening exercise, which began on September 7 and ended on September 19, 2026, covered candidates seeking appointment into the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres. The exercise was conducted in batches to ensure orderliness and reduce congestion at the screening centre. Speaking on the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the Service introduced measures to address challenges observed during the initial phase of the screening process. According to him, the improvements helped ensure a more efficient and seamless exercise for c...
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"Without Interconnectivity, This Is Just Two Border Posts Sharing a Car Park" — Adeniyi

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Victoria Silvanus The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR Ph. has called for deeper integration between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, stating that the Sèmè–Kraké Joint Border Post cannot operate effectively until both countries are connected through an integrated customs system. Speaking during the assessment and commissioning of the Joint Border Post on Friday, Adeniyi said Nigeria and Benin share longstanding economic, cultural and social ties, adding that border procedures should reflect the close relationship between the two neighbouring countries. “Nigeria and Benin have been one economic space for as long as there has been commerce on this coast. The border runs through families, markets and languages that were never divided by it,” he said. The Comptroller-General noted that the Sèmè–Kraké crossing is one of Africa’s busiest border corridors, handling a significant volume of trade along th...
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Customs Seizes ₦43.6bn Worth of Cannabis, Codeine, Drones, Expired Goods at Apapa Port

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Victoria Silvanus The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 13 containers loaded with cannabis, codeine syrup, security-sensitive drones, expired pharmaceuticals and other prohibited items at the Apapa Port, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦43.59 billion. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Apapa Area Command on Friday, describing the seizures as a major breakthrough in the Service's ongoing efforts to combat smuggling, protect public health and safeguard national security. Adeniyi said the seizures were the outcome of sustained intelligence-led operations and strengthened collaboration between Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NAFDAC, the Office of the National Security Adviser and international security partners. According to him, the intercepted consignments fall into three major categories: narcotics and controlled pharmaceuticals, security-sensitive equip...
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Nigeria Seeks Danish Partnership to Accelerate Port Reforms, Trade Growth

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Victoria Silvanus  The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) has sought strategic collaboration with Danish maritime institutions to strengthen port economic regulation, enhance trade facilitation, and improve institutional capacity in Nigeria's maritime sector. The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NPERA, Dr. Akutah Pius, made the call during a meeting with Danish Maritime (Danske Maritime) in Copenhagen as part of engagements by the Nigerian delegation currently on an official visit to Denmark. Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Akutah said the Federal Government's ongoing economic reforms have placed greater emphasis on trade and the marine and blue economy as critical drivers of economic diversification and sustainable growth. According to him, Nigeria is working to strengthen the institutional and regulatory frameworks needed to create a transparent, fair and competitive business environment for operators in the maritime sector. ...
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Badagry Deep Seaport Gets Major Boost as FG Signs MoU with APM Terminals

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Victoria Silvanus The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards the development of the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APM Terminals in Denmark. The agreement was signed during an official visit by a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, was also part of the delegation that witnessed the signing of the MoU. The proposed Badagry Deep Seaport is expected to enhance Nigeria’s port capacity, improve trade facilitation, and position the country as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa. According to officials, the agreement underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding and modernizing the nation’s port infrastructure in line with the objectives of the Marine and Blue Economy sector. The partnership with APM Terminals, one of the world...
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