By Barnabas Esiet.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has emphasized the need for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to build a lasting friendship and partnership through a deeper understanding of their respective challenges.
The CGC made this known during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi stressed that enduring collaboration could only be achieved when both parties approach issues with clarity and commitment, highlighting the importance of broader stakeholder buy-in for sustainable solutions.
The Customs Boss highlighted several initiatives rolled out to improve trade facilitation, including the Authorized Economic Operator program, Advanced Ruling, Corporate Social Responsibility framework, and the indigenous B’Odogwu platform.
He also disclosed preparations for a conference in November to chart a way forward for the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The CGC suggested a joint meeting between NCS and MAN to set a new agenda that extends beyond immediate concerns.
He proposed that MAN consult with its members and get back to him to fix a date and venue for a wider meeting, expressing willingness to travel to Lagos to meet with manufacturers at their base.
The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, commended the CGC for his openness to ideas and stressed that MAN’s structured approach to policy ensures that every decision reflects the realities manufacturers face across the country.
He emphasized the need to strengthen engagement and not confrontation, especially on issues that affect industries under pressure.
Ajayi-Kadiri said that many developments in the economy require MAN and NCS to accelerate their engagement, expand it, and make it work.
He described Customs as an indispensable partner in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges and expressed enthusiasm for reigniting the collaboration between the two institutions.
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