By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service and the American Business Council have agreed to strengthen structured engagement aimed at improving trade facilitation and boosting investor confidence, following a courtesy visit by the Council to the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, received the delegation on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, where discussions focused on operational efficiency, transparency and sustained collaboration between Customs and private sector operators, according to a press statement personally signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada.
Adeniyi said the Service has in recent years deliberately prioritised transparency, stakeholder consultation and regular interaction with business groups, noting that effective Customs administration depends largely on continuous dialogue with those involved in cross-border trade. He explained that ongoing reforms are designed to provide greater predictability for traders, citing the deployment of the One Stop Shop initiative across major Customs commands to ease cargo examination, documentation and clearance processes.
He also assured the delegation that concerns raised by member companies would continue to receive attention within the limits of Customs’ statutory responsibilities, while stressing that trade facilitation involves the collective effort of several government agencies. Adeniyi maintained that sustained engagement remains key to resolving operational issues promptly.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Business Council, Margaret Olele, said the visit was intended to further strengthen institutional ties with the Nigeria Customs Service. She acknowledged improvements in port operations, communication channels and the handling of trade related enquiries, adding that many American companies operating in Nigeria have observed clearer Customs procedures over the past year.
Olele noted that transparency and predictability remain critical for business planning and expressed encouragement over the modernisation steps being implemented under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. She also commended the Comptroller General for personally hosting the delegation, describing it as a strong signal of the Service’s openness to partnership and reform.
Both parties agreed to institute quarterly engagement sessions to review progress, address emerging concerns and maintain open communication with American companies operating in Nigeria.
Representatives of ExxonMobil, Chevron, Cisco, Mantrac and the United States Embassy, among others, attended the meeting.
The American Business Council is a leading private sector organisation representing United States companies operating in Nigeria, while the Nigeria Customs Service is the government agency responsible for trade facilitation, revenue collection and border security.
