President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to allow trucks conveying transit goods to Niger Republic to pass through Benin Republic and Kebbi State.
The directive was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, during a courtesy visit to Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.
The move is aimed at easing regional trade flows while maintaining Nigeria’s national security and economic interests.
The Comptroller-General said the presidential directive would significantly improve the efficiency of transit cargo operations while strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent abuse of the system.
The initiative is designed to facilitate the movement of transit cargo, particularly goods originating from Apapa seaports and Nigerian airports and destined for neighbouring countries, stressing that the NCS would rely on technology-driven solutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
The initiative is designed to facilitate the movement of transit cargo, particularly goods originating from Apapa seaports and Nigerian airports and destined for neighbouring countries, stressing that the NCS would rely on technology-driven solutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
Adeniyi warned that economic operators who violate transit regulations would face stiff sanctions, noting that non-compliance could create non-tariff barriers and erode trust between Nigeria and its neighbours.
He said the NCS is targeting a 48-hour clearance timeline for eligible transit cargo under the new arrangement.
