By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for introducing reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and creating a more business-friendly environment. NECA President, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on April 7, 2025, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
The reforms introduced by the NCS include the Advance Ruling System, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, and the Time Release Study. These initiatives are designed to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve the ease of doing business, and support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
The Comptroller-General of Customs reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to build a more inclusive trade environment. He emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and simplifying processes to ensure compliance.
“We see ourselves not just as enforcers, but as facilitators. We are committed to walking with you every step of the way in building a better ecosystem for Nigerian businesses to flourish,” CGC Adeniyi said.
The visit concluded with a renewed commitment to deepen collaboration between NECA and NCS, highlighting the strategic importance of customs-business partnerships in achieving national economic development goals.
