The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened investor confidence and reinforced trade relations between Nigeria and the United States following a high-level stakeholder engagement with the American Business Council (ABC) in Lagos.
The meeting, held on Thursday, 12 February 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, brought together senior Customs officers led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, executives of American companies, and key industry stakeholders to address trade facilitation, dispute resolution, regulatory reforms, and policy strategies aimed at improving Nigeria’s investment climate.
Speaking at the forum, Adeniyi described stakeholder engagement as a critical pillar of modern customs administration, noting that sustained dialogue has helped resolve longstanding operational challenges between the Service and the private sector.
He cited the recent resolution of a seven-year classification dispute involving a Council member as a clear example of progress achieved through consistent engagement.
“Stakeholder engagement is one of the major pillars of any modern Customs administration. We have realised that when we address issues in a mutually beneficial manner, everybody becomes a winner,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss also announced the introduction of a unified dispute resolution mechanism designed to streamline procedures, reduce delays, and lower the cost of resolving trade-related conflicts.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to transparency, ongoing modernisation reforms, and the creation of a business-friendly environment capable of attracting foreign investment.
“This engagement forms part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s broader strategy to deepen partnerships with international business communities while enhancing trade facilitation and economic growth,” he added.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the American Business Council, Margaret Olele, commended the NCS for maintaining open communication with the private sector and taking practical steps to address longstanding trade concerns.
“We are seeing positive outcomes from these engagements, including the resolution of long-standing issues affecting our members. While not every concern can be resolved immediately, sustained dialogue helps balance national interests with the need for an efficient business environment,” Olele said.
The engagement marks another step in Nigeria’s efforts to streamline trade processes, attract foreign direct investment, and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation with the United States.
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