The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has announced the launch of a new one-stop trade platform designed to accelerate the clearance of goods and tackle persistent manufacturing bottlenecks.
Speaking during a strategic engagement with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos over the weekend, Adeniyi explained that the “One-Stop-Shop” initiative will streamline interactions between manufacturers, customs, and other regulatory agencies.
According to him, the platform is expected to significantly reduce bureaucratic processes by allowing businesses to process documentation, resolve operational hurdles, and clear goods more efficiently. “This is how a modern customs system should operate,” Adeniyi said.
The customs chief emphasized that the initiative represents a deliberate step toward aligning fiscal policies with industrial expansion, stressing that manufacturing is critical to national prosperity.
“Manufacturing remains the backbone of any modern economy, and its success is directly tied to the nation’s prosperity. Your voices as manufacturers matter. Your experiences help us to understand how customs procedures can either enable or constrain manufacturing excellence. We must continue to build an ecosystem where customs is seen not as a stumbling block but as an enabler of growth,” he stated.
During the meeting, MAN reiterated its demand for a review of the four percent Free On Board (FOB) charge, which local manufacturers have described as a burden on industries.
In response, Adeniyi assured stakeholders that the Service is already reviewing the Ministry of Finance’s directive on the suspension of the levy. “We understand the concerns around the four percent FOB charge. I assure you it is receiving attention, and whatever decision is taken will be in the best interest of trade facilitation, industrial growth, and national revenue stability,” he said.
The dialogue between Customs and MAN also underscored a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at boosting industrial growth, cutting operational costs, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.
