The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to collaborate with the newly inaugurated South-South Development Commission (SSDC), describing the partnership as a strategic step toward regional economic transformation.
CGC Adeniyi made this known on Thursday, 18 September 2025, during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director of the Commission, Usoro Akpabio, and her team to the Customs headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
“Customs Will Be a Strategic Partner in Regional Growth” — Adeniyi
In his remarks, CGC Adeniyi congratulated MD Akpabio on her appointment and acknowledged the broad mandate of the Commission. He noted that the Customs Act of 2023, which introduced far-reaching reforms, requires continuous engagement and cross-institutional collaboration to ensure effective implementation and inclusivity.
“The Customs Service is open to a robust, long-term relationship with the South-South Development Commission,” said Adeniyi. “This alliance can support trade facilitation, border security, and economic integration across the region.”
He suggested the formation of a joint working team between the two institutions to serve as a platform for collaboration, particularly in the areas of:
- Trade facilitation
- Border management
- Infrastructure support
- Economic empowerment and integration
Adeniyi further highlighted the Customs Service’s recent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which aims to support education, healthcare, and infrastructure development in host communities, underscoring the agency’s commitment to inclusive national growth.
South-South Commission Ready for Strategic Alliance — Akpabio
In response, MD Usoro Akpabio praised the modernisation efforts and policy reforms led by the NCS under Adeniyi’s leadership, describing them as “exemplary and far-sighted.”
She noted that although the SSDC was inaugurated barely three weeks ago, it had already begun mobilizing around its core pillars, including:
- The blue economy
- Agriculture and food systems
- Infrastructure and utilities
- Human capital development
“The Customs Service plays a critical role in our region’s economic landscape,” Akpabio said. “With major ports, free trade zones, oil and gas terminals, and border posts located in the South-South, a partnership with Customs is essential.”
She assured that the Commission would build a strategic alliance with Customs that will outlive tenures and administrations, founded on transparency, shared objectives, and measurable outcomes.
Why This Partnership Matters
The potential Customs partnership with the South-South Development Commission comes at a crucial time when Nigeria is looking to deepen regional integration, enhance non-oil revenue, and revamp trade infrastructure.
The South-South region, home to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, as well as key seaport infrastructure (Apapa, Onne, Warri, and Calabar), is seen as a pivotal driver of economic development. By aligning with Customs, the Commission can unlock synergies in:
- Trade corridor management
- Port decongestion efforts
- Anti-smuggling operations
- Export promotion
Looking Ahead
Both leaders agreed to convene another high-level meeting soon, involving broader stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, to design a joint action plan and initiate early wins.
The proposed joint working team is expected to lay the groundwork for collaboration frameworks that ensure policy continuity and drive measurable impact across the South-South geopolitical zone.
