Nigeria Customs and the Shaping of Africa’s Economic Destiny
By Tahir Ahmad,
The launch of the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor on May 25, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is a milestone in the push to make the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) a real, working economic system.
But beyond the ceremony, it reveals the growing role of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as a key player in building a united African economy through trade facilitation.
The corridor was jointly executed by the Nigeria Customs and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to AfCFTA.
Leading this charge is Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose leadership is turning lofty policies into concrete results transforming Nigeria’s trade landscape.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria’s approach to regional integration has become intentional and results-focused.
CGC Adeniyi made it clear at the corridor launch: “This is more than a ceremonial handover; it is a gateway to new opportunities for Nigerian businesses and proof that we are ready to lead Africa’s economic transformation through trade.”
The numbers back up this ambition. In 2024, NCS facilitated exports worth ₦136.65 trillion—a 219.5% jump from the previous year. And in Q1 2025 alone, exports surged 349% compared to the same period in 2024.
This shows a deliberate export strategy backed by solid institutional planning. AfCFTA needs more than good intentions—it requires strong systems, infrastructure, and implementation.
The Customs Service is delivering on that. From issuing AfCFTA Certificates of Origin that help exporters access preferential tariffs to digitalizing export clearance processes and setting up AfCFTA Units across customs commands nationwide, the NCS is making trade easier, especially for small and medium enterprises seeking new African markets.
CGC Adeniyi is also pushing for the corridor model to expand beyond air cargo—calling on regional airlines, freight operators, and even seaports, land borders, and railways to adopt similar frameworks.
This signals a growing multi-modal trade network where Customs is the key enabler. The success of the corridor launch was thanks to partnerships with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and logistics operators.
But the Customs Service’s leadership and diplomatic engagement drove the initiative forward. Nigeria Customs is not just facilitating trade inside Nigeria—it is taking bold steps continent-wide.
Earlier in 2024, CGC Adeniyi met with AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene at the Biashara Afrika Summit to push for breaking down trade barriers and encouraging SMEs to seize AfCFTA opportunities.
These engagements have helped address technical and logistical bottlenecks that slowed trade under AfCFTA. These are not just symbolic meetings—they reflect a clear strategy to ensure Nigeria leads AfCFTA, not just follows.
This new air cargo corridor is proof that Nigeria is positioning itself as Africa’s trade hub. Customs is building trade bridges, one corridor at a time. More than just increasing exports, this initiative promotes inclusive growth, job creation, and regional cooperation.
It opens new doors for Nigerian exporters of processed goods, agricultural products, and manufactured items by reducing logistics costs and speeding delivery—especially with the recent 50% freight rate reduction.
As Nigeria moves boldly to become the heartbeat of intra-African trade, the Bashir Adeniyi-led Customs stands out as one of the most active and impactful institutions driving this vision.
By combining regulatory reforms, stakeholder engagement, and technology, the NCS under CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is shaping AfCFTA’s future.
For Africa to build true economic independence and integration, trade must go beyond policy. It must be a system, a process, and a service. Nigeria Customs is proving how to lead that charge.
Tahir Ahmad is a NYSC corps member serving at PRNigeria Centre Abuja. He can be reached via: [email protected]
