The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has urged lawmakers to review the legal framework governing customs operations to align Nigeria’s trade laws with rapidly evolving global practices.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made the call at a capacity-building retreat organised for the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs.

Adeniyi said effective legislative oversight required lawmakers to have a comprehensive understanding of modern customs operations and the ongoing transformation within the Service.

He explained that the retreat was designed to bridge existing information gaps and enable members of the Senate committee to assess the NCS’s modernisation efforts from an informed perspective while providing the necessary statutory backing to sustain the reforms.

“While some provisions had worked as intended, others had proved difficult to apply or had been overtaken by the rapidly changing trade environment.

“We are requesting considerable amendments to ensure the Act remains relevant to fast-moving trade policies and supports the Service’s modernisation agenda,” Adeniyi said.

The CGC stressed that although the NCS enjoys strong support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NCS Board, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, the long-term sustainability of the reforms requires statutory reinforcement.

According to him, legislative protection is essential to ensure that the Service’s reforms and modernisation efforts transcend individual administrations.

Highlighting the scope of the ongoing transformation, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Tijani Abbey, outlined several key initiatives being implemented by the Service.

These include the deployment of the indigenous B’Odogwu Trade Management System, intelligence-driven post-clearance audits, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, coordinated border management and end-to-end digital process integration.

He said the initiatives were aimed at improving revenue generation, facilitating legitimate trade and strengthening national security.

Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs, Senator Isah Jibrin, commended the NCS for surpassing its revenue targets despite operational challenges.

Jibrin assured the Service that the National Assembly was prepared to provide the necessary legislative support to sustain its progress.

“What you need to do is to identify your challenges, try to address them as much as possible, so as to have a much more robust, inclusive, and beyond-budget performance. Where you require legislative backing, please do not hesitate to call on us,” Jibrin said.

The senator also congratulated CGC Adeniyi on his re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, describing the achievement as a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global trade and customs administration.

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