The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its dedication to facilitating seamless and sustainable trade, with a renewed focus on promoting the importation of renewable energy technologies into the country.
This commitment was made during the 2025 edition of the NCS Trade Facilitation Stakeholder Consultative Forum, held on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Lagos. The event also marked the one-year anniversary of the Advance Ruling Programme.
Speaking at the forum, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan, who oversees the Tariff and Trade Department, noted that trade facilitation remains central to the Service’s contribution to national development and global sustainability.
“With the increasing volume of global trade, it has become imperative for Customs administrations to adopt mechanisms that support the seamless flow of legitimate trade. Such mechanisms are essential not only for sustaining international commerce but also for enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from cross-border trade,” Niagwan stated.
She outlined several key initiatives introduced by the NCS, including the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’Odogwu, the Advance Ruling System, and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.
Reiterating the Service’s commitment to environmental obligations, DCG Niagwan highlighted support for the Green Customs Initiative and key international agreements like the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement. She stressed the NCS’s role in facilitating the importation of renewable energy technologies and implementing fiscal policies aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
A major highlight of the forum was the official launch of the Handbook on Import and Export Procedures for Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technologies, designed to guide stakeholders on Customs processes related to clean energy equipment.
In a goodwill message, Markus Wagner, Country Director for Nigeria and ECOWAS at GIZ, represented by Duke Benjamin, commended the NCS for its foresight. He described the initiative as a significant step towards improving the ease of doing business and advancing Nigeria’s renewable energy agenda.
Also speaking, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a presentation titled “The Role of Communication Strategy as a Veritable Tool to Deepen Trade Facilitation.” He emphasized the power of strategic communication in driving institutional reform and reinforcing national energy goals.
“In today’s fast-evolving global trade environment, the deliberate use of effective communication is not merely a support function but a catalyst for transformation. It enhances institutional credibility, deepens trade facilitation, drives economic growth, supports environmental sustainability, and reinforces national energy security,” he said.
The forum concluded with renewed calls for deeper collaboration between the NCS and private sector stakeholders to streamline trade procedures and support Nigeria’s green economy aspirations.
