Customs Must Be Central to National Security, Trade Reform — Stakeholders

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Stakeholders have underscored the need to place the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the heart of national security coordination and trade reforms, as the Service continues to expand its role beyond revenue collection to border protection, security intelligence, and supply chain stability.

This consensus emerged at the International Customs Day celebration, held alongside the presentation of the Time Release Study (TRS) at the Tin Can Island Port.

Speakers at the event emphasized that Customs’ strategic position at Nigeria’s borders makes it indispensable to national security and economic competitiveness.

Customs’ Security Role Underestimated — Lawmaker

Chairman of the House Committee on Customs, Leke Abejide, said the contribution of the Nigeria Customs Service to national and global security is often underestimated.

“Even with our prominent position at the border, the indispensable contribution Customs makes to the security and welfare of societies worldwide is not commonly understood as part of the agency’s mission,” he said.

Abejide cautioned against the exclusion of Customs from national security planning.

“Whenever security meetings are held, Customs is often left out. Is it better to fight insecurity after illegal arms have entered the country, or to prevent them from coming in? Customs must be fully integrated into the national security structure,” he added.

Trade Ministry Backs Customs Reforms

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, reaffirmed the Service’s importance in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders while facilitating economic growth.

“Customs’ work is vital not just for trade, but for protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring national safety,” she said.

She also commended the NCS for operational improvements at the ports, particularly through the implementation of the Time Release Study.

“I am impressed by the Time Release Study and the innovative practices adopted to enhance port efficiency, which have earned international recognition,” Oduwole stated.

Finance Ministry Calls for Collaboration, Data-Driven Reforms

Speaking at the official launch of the 2026 Time Release Study (TRS) in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and development partners to improve trade facilitation and border efficiency.

In her keynote address, Dr. Uzoka-Anite described the TRS as a data-driven policy instrument designed to measure and reduce the time required for goods to move across Nigeria’s borders.

She noted that the study provides a strategic foundation for evidence-based policy formulation, enhanced transparency, operational efficiency, and alignment with global trade standards.

According to her, leveraging modern customs practices and coordinated stakeholder engagement will strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.

WCO Applauds Evidence-Based Approach

At the international level, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ian Saunders, praised the Nigeria Customs Service for embracing evidence-driven reforms.

“Trade facilitation is about taking action. It requires everyone involved to manage and reduce risk, create predictability, strengthen supply chain resilience, and make these practices the norm,” Saunders said.

He described the TRS report as a practical tool for operational improvement.

“The Time Release Study captures the realities of current operating conditions. It is a catalyst for developing plans for shared success and an opportunity to align around goals that are clearly in the national interest,” he added.

Saunders also encouraged Customs officers and stakeholders to take pride in their work.

“You have every reason to be proud of an agency and workforce that continues to support the safety and prosperity of Nigeria through trade,” he said.