The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a series of transformative measures to strengthen border management and enhance trade facilitation as part of its 2025 Enforcement Strategy.
The updated strategy, outlined by Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasises the adoption of intelligence-driven frameworks and cutting-edge technologies to streamline operations and combat smuggling effectively.
A key highlight of the revamped strategy is the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country. This measure aims to ease the movement of goods and people while addressing trade bottlenecks.
A press release issued on Tuesday by Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, stated that instead of relying on physical checkpoints, the NCS plans to leverage actionable intelligence and strategic risk management systems to boost efficiency and effectiveness in enforcement operations. Advanced geospatial tools and other innovative technologies will also play a crucial role in modernising customs operations.
In a major development, the NCS has also announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), an inter-agency operation established in 2019 under the code name “Ex-Swift Response” to enforce Nigeria’s partial border closure policy. Over the years, the JBPT evolved into a collaborative effort involving multiple government agencies to combat the smuggling of dangerous goods and ensure compliance with trade and security regulations.
The decision to dissolve the JBPT was made following consultations with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). While acknowledging the significant contributions of JBPT to border security, the NCS expressed its gratitude to partner agencies for their unwavering commitment and cooperation in safeguarding Nigeria’s land borders.
Despite these changes, the NCS assured stakeholders and the general public that the new measures would not compromise border security or trade facilitation. Instead, they are expected to strengthen customs operations, improve trade compliance, and enhance national security.
The CGC reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to securing the nation’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and protecting the safety and well-being of Nigerians. He also called on stakeholders to support the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat economic sabotage and ensure a robust, secure trade environment.
These reforms signal the NCS’s commitment to embracing modern, intelligence-driven approaches to border management while fostering a conducive environment for legitimate trade and economic growth.
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