The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has received commendation from business stakeholders for introducing trade-friendly reforms that are helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) navigate import and export processes with greater ease and transparency.
The recognition came during the 2025 NCS Trade Facilitation Stakeholders Forum held in Ikeja, Lagos. The forum also marked the one-year anniversary of the NCS’s Advance Ruling Programme and focused on promoting trade for renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies—a sector increasingly relevant to SMEs looking to tap into sustainable business models.
Among the reforms acknowledged were the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, the Advance Ruling System, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, and the Time Release Study. These initiatives are designed to reduce documentation hurdles, accelerate customs clearance, and introduce more predictability into trade processes—particularly important for SMEs that often lack the resources to navigate bureaucratic delays.
A stakeholder at the forum, Olatomiwa Olafaremi, pointed out that the Advance Ruling Programme has made trade processes more transparent and efficient. He noted that even in the absence of insider connections, the system has proven effective, though some minor issues still exist.
Representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Deputy Comptroller General Caroline Niagwan explained that the reforms are part of efforts to align Nigeria’s trade systems with global standards set by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). She noted that while customs procedures are inherently complex, the NCS is making significant efforts to reduce delays, costs, and disputes—particularly for honest and compliant businesses.
She also highlighted that trade facilitation is central to boosting SME participation in global markets. According to her, the NCS is also committed to the Green Customs Initiative, which encourages the trade of environmentally friendly goods—offering a new opportunity for SMEs interested in renewable energy and green technologies.
The forum underscored the NCS’s role in driving sustainable economic growth through smarter, more transparent systems that level the playing field for small businesses. With these reforms, SMEs are better positioned to compete, grow, and contribute more meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy and international trade footprint.
