The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called for the adoption of the ‘Nigeria First’ initiative to enhance cross-border trade and safeguard national security.
Comptroller Adeniyi made the call while delivering a keynote lecture at the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) annual conference in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Speaking on the topic “Cross-Border Trade and Security Implications on the Nigerian Economy: Taking Advantage of Global Trade Dynamics,” Adeniyi emphasised the need for strategic alignment between trade facilitation and security imperatives.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s trade value surged to ₦196.94 trillion in 2024, marking a 179.3% increase over the previous year, despite persistent security threats across various borders.
“Nigeria’s economic prosperity hinges delicately on our ability to strike an optimal balance between security imperatives and trade facilitation,” the Customs boss said.
While highlighting the achievements of the Service, Adeniyi stated that the NCS collected a record ₦6.1 trillion in revenue in 2024, exceeding its target by 20.2%
He described the feat as a testament to the Service’s resilience and innovation in a complex operating environment.
The Comptroller also stressed the region-specific security challenges and their implications on trade.
“In the Northeast, the insurgency continues to disrupt established trade corridors,” he said, emphasising that collaborative initiatives such as the World Customs Organisation’s Project Securité par Collaboration (SPC++) have provided alternative trade mechanisms suited for conflict-affected areas.
With reference to the Northwest, Adeniyi pointed out the impact of banditry and kidnapping on mining operations, highlighting the urgent need for integrated regulatory and security strategies.
He added that cattle rustling in Northern Nigeria has crippled the livestock value chain, affecting associated industries such as meat processing and leather production.
Regarding the Southeast, the Comptroller cited disruptions caused by secessionist movements, particularly affecting manufacturing hubs in Aba, Onitsha, and Nnewi.
However, he revealed that in the Southwest, the smuggling of petroleum products, arms, and restricted goods poses significant threats.
The Customs leader disclosed that contraband valued at ₦35.29 billion was intercepted in 2024, with an additional ₦7.7 billion seized in the first quarter ((Q1) of 2025.
“These regional security challenges present Nigeria with a choice: remain trapped in a cycle of reactive responses or transform our hard-earned expertise into strategic advantage within the AfCFTA framework,” he remarked.
Speaking further, Comptroller Adeniyi explained that the Nigeria First initiative has already taken root within the Service’s operations, particularly through the procurement of locally assembled vehicles.
“All operational vehicles purchased by the Nigeria Customs Service this fiscal year were sourced from Nigerian auto plants,” Adeniyi said, describing the move as a deliberate step to support domestic industries and conserve foreign exchange.
He equally unveiled a three-tier roadmap for securing and optimising border trade, highlighting Immediate interventions, including the modernisation of key border posts such as Seme-Krake (Benin), Jibia-Maradi (Niger), and Mfum-Ekok (Cameroon).
The Comptroller mentioned medium-term plans involving the creation of secure trade corridors equipped with surveillance and rapid-response mechanisms, while long-term strategies focus on establishing Special Economic Zones around border communities
He also addressed global trade disruptions, citing the recent 14% reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States on Nigerian non-oil exports as a wake-up call for market diversification.
Adeniyi urged the business community to leverage the $3.4 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunity and embrace innovations such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which allows intra-African trade using local currencies.
“Through the systematic application of these principles, Nigeria can establish itself as the secure gateway to West African markets, leveraging security investments to strengthen our economic position in regional and global trade,” he added