Customs, Railways and the Return of Smart Cargo Movement By Tahir Ahmad
On June 10, 2025, what appeared to be a routine inspection unfolded at the Ibadan Railway Terminal. But beneath the procedural tone, a quiet revolution was in motion.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, led his team to assess a bonded warehouse and cargo handling systems—part of a wider strategy to integrate rail transport into Nigeria’s customs and logistics operations.
This visit marked more than a box-ticking exercise. It signaled a growing convergence between two critical national institutions: the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Their partnership is forging a new blueprint for multimodal trade efficiency—one that could reshape the movement of goods across the country. For decades, Nigeria’s logistics ecosystem has been overly reliant on road transport.
This dependence has led to chronic congestion, high operational costs, and insecurity—bottlenecks that stifle trade and weaken investor confidence. But under CGC Adeniyi’s leadership, a shift is underway.
The focus now is on creating layered systems that allow for seamless transition between seaports, rail lines, and inland dry ports. This momentum was further demonstrated on June 11, when stakeholders gathered at the Apapa Area Command for a strategic meeting.
Customs officers, NRC officials, clearing agents, and freight forwarders engaged in frank discussions on operationalizing cargo movement via rail.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, who convened the session, emphasized that it was in response to CGC Adeniyi’s directive to scale up multimodal logistics solutions. “When we have a seamless trade process, it benefits all stakeholders,” he noted.
Trade facilitation is more than clearing containers. It is about restoring confidence—among investors, business owners, and trading partners—that Nigeria can serve as a reliable gateway for regional and global commerce.
A dependable rail system linking Apapa and Tin Can ports to inland terminals in Ibadan, Kaduna, and Kano could unlock long-dormant trade corridors and drastically cut transit time.
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The presence of NRC’s Head of Operations, Akin Oshinawo, at the meeting reaffirmed this institutional alignment. He described Customs as a “willing partner,” a sentiment that underscores the significance of cooperation in public service delivery.
Historically, bureaucratic rivalry has hampered progress. But today, Nigeria Customs and the Railways are reading from the same script—one that aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and speaks directly to the long-term economic interests of the nation.
The potential impact is huge. Integrating rail into cargo movement reduces logistics costs—an urgent concern for manufacturers and SMEs battling currency volatility.
It decongests Lagos roads, where endless truck queues result in revenue losses and avoidable accidents. It also supports regional integration, enabling landlocked states and neighboring countries to better access Nigerian ports and markets.
Dr. Osita Chukwu, National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition, summed it up succinctly: “With what government is doing, we want it not to end in a region but across the entire country.”
A nationwide rollout is indeed the goal—from Calabar to Kano, Port Harcourt to Jos, and Apapa to the Northeast. Still, challenges remain: infrastructure deficits, track maintenance, terminal upgrades, digital integration, and cargo security in transit.
Yet, by bringing all stakeholders to the table and tackling operational inefficiencies head-on, the Customs Service is taking the right steps. The recent meeting was not just another talk shop—it was action-oriented and solutions-driven.
Under CGC Adeniyi, Customs is undergoing a reorientation. No longer a bureaucratic bottleneck, the agency is being repositioned as a strategic partner in national development. His leadership—anchored on technology, collaboration, and forward-looking policies—is redefining what it means to facilitate trade in Nigeria.
What is unfolding between the Nigeria Customs and the Railway Corporation is more than inter-agency coordination. It is a national development model—one grounded in mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to long-term impact.
If sustained, this synergy could do more than ease port congestion. It could unlock Nigeria’s full trade potential.
Tahir Ahmad is a NYSC corps member serving at PRNigeria Centre Abuja. He can be reached via: [email protected]
