The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, says President Bola Tinubu, has approved the provision of safe corridors and safe passage to ease the movement of loaded trucks awaiting clearance to the Republic of Niger, as part of efforts to unlock transit bottlenecks and enhance cross-border trade and security.
CGC Adeniyi made this known, during a high-level bilateral meeting between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Niger Republic Customs Administration, led by its Director-General, Muhammadu Yaqouba, at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
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He explained that the initiative is aimed at facilitating the seamless movement of transit cargo particularly goods from Apapa ports and Nigerian airports destined for neighbouring countries while ensuring that national security and economic interests are adequately safeguarded.
According to Adeniyi, transit cargoes will continue to be processed and moved within 48 hours, with strict measures in place to prevent diversion.
He warned that stiff sanctions await economic operators who violate transit regulations, stressing that non-compliance by a few operators creates non-tariff barriers and erodes trust within the trade system.
The Customs boss noted that the Service is committed to streamlining documentation processes and eliminating avoidable bottlenecks along key corridors such as Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic, as well as routes linking Apapa ports and airports to neighbouring countries.
He congratulated DG Yaqouba on his appointment and highlighted the long-standing professional collaboration between both Customs administrations through the World Customs Organisation (WCO) platforms and bilateral engagements.
“Cooperation between the two Customs services is shaped not only by shared borders but also by international obligations, particularly Nigeria’s responsibilities under Articles 124 to 132 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantee landlocked countries access to the sea,”
He acknowledged the unique challenges faced by landlocked countries, noting that reliance on neighbouring ports and infrastructure often increases transaction costs and undermines competitiveness.
“The Nigeria Customs Service has remained committed to facilitating trade for our landlocked neighbours, including the Republic of Niger. This commitment will be sustained irrespective of political differences, because trade, security and regional stability are interconnected,”
Describing the engagement as the start of a renewed phase of cooperation, Adeniyi expressed confidence that sustained follow-up actions would redefine operational modalities, reduce costs, boost trade volumes, and make the corridor more attractive to transport operators.
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Earlier, DG Muhammadu Yaqouba described the visit as a working engagement between two professional Customs administrations bound by shared responsibilities.
He thanked the Nigeria Customs Service for the warm reception, noting that it reflected the long-standing fraternity between both countries and their Customs institutions.
He explained that the visit was necessitated by challenges such as the prolonged blockage of trucks transiting from the Republic of Benin to the Niger Republic and prevailing security concerns across the region.
“We face common security challenges, particularly terrorism and banditry, and engagements like this offer opportunities to develop lasting solutions through cooperation and coordination,” Yaqouba said.
He disclosed that since 2024, the Niger Republic has intensified efforts to combat terrorism through initiatives such as Operation Saran Kasa, involving coordinated actions by all national security agencies, which he said has recorded notable successes.
As part of the operation, scanners have been deployed to inspect all goods entering the country, underscoring the critical role of Customs in tackling terrorism, arms trafficking, and cross-border crime.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major-General Garba Laka, congratulated DG Yaqouba on his appointment and extended condolences to the Government and people of Niger over the recent terrorist attack near Niamey Airport.
He described the incident as painful, sympathised with the families of the fallen soldiers, and reaffirmed the shared determination of Nigeria and Niger to prevent a recurrence.
Major-General Laka emphasised that Nigeria and Niger share deep historical, cultural, and familial ties, particularly among border communities, describing the two countries as one people.
“Insecurity in any part of the Sahel affects all of us. Arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and the concealment of ammunition in cargo vehicles remain major threats that require coordinated and sustained action,” he said.
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He added that the Nigerian government places high priority on Niger-related matters, including trade, energy supply, and security, noting that requests from Niger—especially on petroleum products and gas—receive prompt attention at the highest levels.
He advocated the revival of bilateral security frameworks, including cross-border right-of-pursuit arrangements, joint operations, and sustained inter-agency collaboration, expressing confidence that the outcomes of the meeting would translate into concrete actions.