Customs and Pushing to Enhance Trade in Kano

Customs and Pushing to Enhance Trade in Kano

By Abdulsalam Mahmud

Kano State is known as the “Centre of Commerce.”. After Lagos, Nigeria’s former capital city, its population is the largest in the federation. Kano, like Lagos, is also an economic hub for many business outlets and manufacturing industries.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest man. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Dangote Group, the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth at $16.1 billion in November 2023, making him the richest person in Africa, the world’s richest black person, and the world’s 107th richest person overall. Dangote is from the ancient city of Kano, to cut the long story short.

Abdul Samad Isiyaku Rabiu is a billionaire businessman and philanthropist. His late father, Khalifah Isiyaku Rabiu, was one of Nigeria’s foremost industrialists in the 1970s and 1980s.

Abdul Samad is the founder and chairman of BUA Group, a business conglomerate concentrating on manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture and producing a revenue in excess of $2.5 billion. He is also the chairman of the Nigerian Bank of Industry (BOI). Like Dangote, the BUA Chief Executive hails from the ancient city of Kano.

However, Kano is still far from becoming Nigeria’s most industrialized city, trailing distantly behind Lagos. But the Comptroller General of Customs,
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is passionate about bridging the industrialization gap between Kano and other Nigerian mega cities.

One can say without equivocation that Adeniyi wants to help make Kano one of the most economically-advanced states in the country. Thus he embarked on a visit to the Kano State Government House last week, in a bid to rekindle the longstanding partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the Kano State Government.

The meeting served as an avenue for Adeniyi to highlight the Nigeria Customs’ commitment to enhance trade and address food security challenges in Kano.

The Customs Chief reiterated their Service’s dedication to enhancing trade facilitation and collaborating closely with the Kano community to address common challenges.

He said, “Part of the major concerns that we have in Kano include the need for Customs to establish an export terminal to help streamline business in the state. On behalf of the President, I want to commend the effort to address the challenges of food security, and we believe that with your support, there’s room to do more.”

Furthermore, Adeniyi shared directives from President Ahmed Tinubu regarding the return of detained grains suspected of illegal export to their owners, with the condition that they would be reintroduced into the domestic markets to alleviate food insecurity.

“One of the primary objectives of the visit was to rejuvenate the historical rapport between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano State Government, to enhance cooperation for the mutual benefit of both entities,” CGC Adeniyi said.

Speaking further, the CGC added, “Kano has been an esteemed centre of commerce and also a significant link to foster trade in Nigeria. It has been a deliberate strategy of government to promote the development of inland deports and the Nigeria Customs Service is making arrangements to streamline the process in Kano.”

Responding, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf again, warmly welcomed Adeniyi. He lauded the proactive approach of the Nigeria Customs in safeguarding the nation’s borders and his commitment to promoting economic prosperity in Kano and Nigeria at large.

The governor, who said he was impressed with the CGC’s engagements during his official visit, reiterated the commitment of the Kano State Government to providing the necessary support and cooperation to the Nigeria Customs Service in fulfilling its mandate within the state.

“Let me say that you have come to Kano at the right time when import and export activities need your service to implement policies that will enhance them because Kano is the largest commerce hub after Lagos,” Governor Yusuf said.

He particularly applauded Adeniyi’s visit to the Dawanau International Grains Market and urged expedited action in establishing an export warehouse at the market, “For that, I assure you of my government’s full support so that Kano will become stronger in terms of investment in the country,” he said.

While appreciating the move to enhance the welfare of the citizenry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Kano Governor also expressed optimism that the NCS, having engaged in talks with business communities in the state, will help tackle the challenges of food scarcity

In a separate engagement highlighting his proactive approach to fostering collaboration and engagement with stakeholders, the Customs helmsman, visited the Mamuda Group of Companies in Kano.

The visit also, provided an opportunity for Adeniyi to interact with the Chairman and CEO of the company, Hassan Hammoud, and other leaders of the factory.

During the visit, CGC Adeniyi emphasized the Nigeria Customs’ commitment to forging strong partnerships with stakeholders to enhance revenue generation and facilitate trade across the federation.

He highlighted the importance of easing business processes for traders nationwide, underscoring the pivotal role of collaboration between the Customs Service and private enterprises in achieving this objective.

In his response, Mr. Hammoud expressed his appreciation to Adeniyi for gracing his company with his presence.

He led the Customs boss on a sightseeing tour of the factory, showcasing the company’s operations and facilities. Hammoud also reassured Adeniyi of the Mamuda Group’s unwavering commitment to complying with customs provisions and regulations, reaffirming the company’s dedication to maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with the Nigeria Customs.

With the successful parley between Adeniyi and Governor Yusuf, Kano is set to witness its glorious economic rebirth. One that will see her compete favourably with Lagos, in terms of internal revenue generation and mega trading volume.

The awful news of phone theft, gruesome murder of all kinds and brazen displays of immorality by some uncouth youths – that have emanated recently from the most popular Northern state – should therefore give way. CGC Adeniyi is forcefully pushing ahead, and engaging critical stakeholders to enhance the quality of trade in Kano – solely for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Mahmud is the Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, and wrote in via: [email protected].