The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has announced stricter monitoring of outbound cargo and passenger baggage at Nigeria’s international airports to safeguard the country’s export reputation and curb illicit trade.
Speaking during a working visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command on Monday, March 9, 2026, Adeniyi expressed concern over recurring incidents where goods exported from Nigeria were seized abroad for violating regulatory standards or posing public health risks.
The Customs boss noted that the Service had observed cases involving the export of counterfeit or substandard products, including cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and other regulated goods produced locally but not meant for foreign markets.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened its risk management systems across international airports to ensure stricter compliance with export procedures.
“We are intensifying monitoring and scrutiny to ensure that cargo declarations, export documentation and passenger baggage comply with international best practices,” Adeniyi said.
He also disclosed that the Service would deepen collaboration with airline operators, cargo terminal operators and other regulatory agencies to enforce strict adherence to export regulations.
Adeniyi emphasised that while the Service remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade, protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and maintaining the integrity of its international gateways is equally critical.
He warned that any Customs officer found aiding illegal export activities would face severe disciplinary measures.
“Any officer found to have acted as an accessory to offences related to illegal exportation of goods from Nigeria will be penalised. Heavy sanctions will also await stakeholders who act in collusion, whether through omission or deliberate actions,” he cautioned.
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Godwin Otunla, described the Comptroller-General’s visit as a strategic engagement that would further strengthen the command’s operations.
Otunla said the visit provided an opportunity for officers to present their achievements, discuss operational challenges and receive directives aimed at improving performance in line with the Service’s ongoing reform agenda.
