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How Nigeria Can Enhance Foreign Exchange Earnings -Customs CG
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says the African Continental Free Trade Agreement(AfCFTA) stands as a golden opportunity for Nigeria to significantly enhance its foreign exchange earnings.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Comptroller Adewale Adeniyi, said this at the Distinguished Lecture Series organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), in Lagos, yesterday.
The lecture had the theme: “Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Development: Reforming and Positioning the Nigeria Customs Services for the AfCFTA and other Emerging Challenges.”
According to Adeniyi, the expansive marketplace created by AfCFTA can serve as a catalyst for increased trade, attracting diverse businesses and stimulating economic growth.
He said Nigeria, with her rich array of sectors from agriculture to technology, had the potential to capitalise on this opportunity by strategically positioning herself within the continental trade framework.
The CG said that Nigeria should focus on targeted sector-specific initiatives, invest in infrastructure to facilitate seamless trade, and actively engage in cross-border collaborations to solidify its position as a key player in the African trade landscape.
He said this could be worked on by establishing task forces or committees dedicated to each key sector to identify opportunities, address challenges, and formulate tailored plans for growth within the AfCFTA framework.
Adeniyi also stressed that the success of AfCFTA is hinged on the crucial factor of policy alignment, necessitating Nigeria’s commitment to crafting policies that synergised with continental objectives.
“This policy harmony must extend to infrastructure development, balancing the trade facilitation mandate of the NCS with revenue generation expectations.
“In navigating this balancing act, the NCS must engage Africans at the heart of its operations, fostering a collaborative dialogue through transparent communication channels.
“The crescendo towards economic brilliance requires prioritising infrastructure development, continuous policy adaptation, and stakeholder engagement.
“As we delve into the intricacies of Nigeria’s economic growth, development, and the dance of trade, remember that behind every policy and every customs checkpoint, there’s a story,”he said.
According to Adeniyi, while the delay in ratifying AfCFTA may be considered a setback, it provides Nigeria with a crucial moment for strategic recalibration.
This, he said involves meticulous planning and implementation of measures that align with AfCFTA objectives.
“Nigeria should view this delay as an opportunity to strengthen its readiness, focusing on resolving challenges, streamlining regulatory processes, and enhancing the ease of doing business.
“To kickstart this recalibration, it is recommended that Nigeria conducts a comprehensive review of existing policies, identifying areas that require adjustment to align with AfCFTA standards,” he said.
Speaking on the importance of policy alignment, Adeniyi said the success of AfCFTA intricately depended on the alignment of Nigeria’s fiscal policies with its foreign policies.
He said that a harmonised policy framework would create an environment conducive to trade, attracting investments and facilitating the seamless flow of goods and services.
“To accomplish this, Nigeria should establish a continuous feedback mechanism between fiscal policy makers, foreign affairs representatives, and NCS,”he said.
He, however, said the inadequacy in infrastructure posed a substantial threat to the seamless and timely movement of goods, potentially resulting in detrimental trade delays.
“The focus should centre on the modernidation of entry points, the implementation of cutting- edge technology infrastructure, and the creation of an environment conducive to expeditious trade operations,” Adeniyi noted.
Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Director- General, NIIA, said the institute was set up to promote the understanding of international affairs, especially complexities that made those affairs not easily intelligible to the ordinary people.
“Beginning today, the NIIA will have as part of its repertoire and its intellectual foundations, the Bashir Adeniyi Centrefor International Trade and Investment.
“Together with the NCS, the NIIA will now establish a senior executive force for senior officers of the NCS to ensure that they provide the leadership that Africa is waiting for to drive the AfCFTA,” he said.
Chairperson of the lecture, Erelu Dosumu Abiola, said the AfCFTA was a game changer, noting that to position the NCS as a catalyst for economic development, a journey of reforms must be embarked on.
She said this included embracing technology for streamline processes, investing in human capital and enhancing collaboration with other stakeholders, adding that challenges of corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and others cannot be overlooked.
“Each hurdle demands strategic and immediate response by fostering a culture of integrity and unity, investing in infrastructure, supporting no mainstream sectors and collaborating with international partners.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”
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