The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has signed separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and Unilever Nigeria Plc to strengthen collaboration on security, emergency response, trade facilitation and the fight against counterfeiting.
The agreements were signed on August 27, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the engagement with the Federal Fire Service, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi described the MoU as a strategic step towards improving cooperation between both agencies to protect lives, property and critical national assets.
He said the partnership would improve fire safety standards across Customs facilities, enhance emergency response, promote joint training and capacity building, and facilitate information sharing on fire safety and emergency preparedness.
Adeniyi expressed confidence that the agreement would translate into practical measures to save lives, protect government assets and strengthen both agencies’ capacity to respond to emergencies.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, described the agreement as a landmark MoU between the Fire Service and a sister agency. He assured that the FFS would deploy its expertise and capacity to protect Customs personnel and assets.
In a separate engagement with Unilever Nigeria Plc, Adeniyi said the partnership underscored the Service’s commitment to deeper collaboration with the private sector in addressing challenges affecting legitimate trade and industrial development.
He said the MoU would strengthen cooperation in preventing counterfeiting, sharing intelligence, and identifying and verifying suspected counterfeit products.
According to him, the agreement would also provide a structured platform for real-time information sharing on trademarks, product identification features, packaging and product samples.
Adeniyi noted that engagements with private-sector stakeholders had continued to provide valuable insights that influence Customs policies and operational decisions. He commended Unilever for its sustained investment, innovation and employment generation in Nigeria.
The Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Tobi Adeniyi, said the company, which has operated in Nigeria since 1923, had localised more than 70 per cent of its raw materials and currently supports about 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.
He commended the NCS for its ongoing transformation, particularly its digitalisation initiatives, the Authorised Economic Operator programme and other trade facilitation measures.
Adeniyi said previous engagements with the Service had already produced practical results, including lessons from training involving more than 70 Customs officers.
He reaffirmed Unilever’s commitment to working with the NCS to combat counterfeiting and illicit trade while expanding the partnership through further engagements across the country.
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