Customs, NAQS Strengthen Border Security Partnership to Boost Trade, Intelligence Sharing
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to strengthen its partnership with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to enhance border security, intelligence sharing, trade facilitation and the protection of Nigeria’s economy.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving the Comptroller-General of NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, during a courtesy visit to the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi said the renewed collaboration would focus on harmonising inspection procedures at the nation’s seaports, airports and land borders to ensure greater consistency, transparency and efficiency in cargo clearance operations.
He explained that the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inter-agency cooperation in border management and improve the country’s trade facilitation framework.
The Customs boss also announced plans to establish a modern Customs laboratory, noting that NAQS would provide technical expertise to support the project. He added that Customs training institutions would be made available to NAQS personnel to enhance professional capacity and operational effectiveness.
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According to him, effective border management extends beyond revenue generation and requires a comprehensive national security approach involving close collaboration among relevant agencies.
“We must expose our officers to the broader concept of national security. Border management goes beyond revenue collection,” Adeniyi said, reaffirming the Service’s commitment to coordinating Nigeria’s multi-agency border protection efforts.
Speaking during the visit, the NAQS Comptroller-General, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, congratulated Adeniyi on the extension of his tenure as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, describing the development as international recognition of his exemplary leadership and commitment to customs administration.
Isegbe commended the strong working relationship between NAQS and the Nigeria Customs Service and called for deeper collaboration in several strategic areas.
He proposed the integration of NAQS into the Customs’ B’Odogwu digital platform to improve information exchange and operational coordination, while also advocating expanded joint enforcement operations to curb illegal trade and strengthen border control.
The NAQS chief further identified intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts to detect fake certifications and fraudulent documentation as critical areas requiring enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration as part of broader efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders, facilitate legitimate trade and protect the nation’s economy from transboundary threats.
By PRNigeria
