BY GODWIN OBI
Nigeria’s historic chairmanship of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council has ignited urgent calls for sweeping reforms in the nation’s maritime and customs sector.
At a high-powered seminar attended by leading stakeholders and industry captains—including the representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), and NIMASA—participants declared that Nigeria must seize this golden moment to reposition its ports, boost trade efficiency, and stamp out piracy once and for all.
The event, chaired by retired Customs Chief ACG Charles Edike, featured thought-provoking papers from Dr. Pius Akutah (NSC) and Dr. Dayo Mobereola (NIMASA), alongside the lead paper, “Nigeria’s Championship of WCO Council: The Impact on the Nation’s Economy”, delivered on behalf of maritime expert Fwdr. Eugene Nweke.
ACG Edike, event’s Chairman clad by DC Esient and DCDc Ogar and Ivara (Extreme left)
Key Observations
Global Spotlight on Nigeria: With the WCO gavel in its hands, Nigeria must showcase world-class efficiency at its seaports, airports, and borders.
Reforms Underway: NCS reforms such as Time Release Study, AEO, B’Odogwu Platform, and rapid scanners were hailed as steps in the right direction.
Maritime Security: While NIMASA has drastically reduced piracy, participants warned that vigilance is still required to secure Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
AfCFTA Opportunity: Nigeria’s leadership is vital to harmonizing customs procedures across Africa and making the nation a continental trade hub.
Education Gap: Calls were made to integrate customs and trade studies into schools to prepare a new generation of experts.
ACG EDITKE (RETD) PRESENTING AWARD TO DC ORGAR ON BEHALF OF ACG OLOMU
Bold Recommendations
- Data is King – Customs, NPA, NSC and other agencies must integrate systems for real-time trade monitoring.
- Expand Customs Reforms – Consolidate Adeniyi’s digital reforms and flood ports with functional scanners to crush bottlenecks.
- Lead AfCFTA – Use Nigeria’s WCO chairmanship to drive digital customs adoption and AEO recognition across Africa.
- Pass the Port Bill Now! – Expedite the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill to end rent-seeking and monopoly pricing.
- Fix Port Access Roads – Trade can’t thrive if Nigeria’s seaports remain cut off by bad roads.
- Protect Our Waters – NIMASA must intensify the war on piracy to keep Nigeria off global watchlists.
- Media as Watchdog – Support Nigeria’s global leadership through constructive and developmental reporting.
DC ESIENT RECEIVING AWARD ON BEHALF OF COMPT. ONYEKA OF TIN CAN CUSTOMS COMMAND
The Verdict
Participants agreed that Nigeria’s WCO chairmanship is not just a diplomatic trophy—but a call to action.
If Nigeria fixes its ports, secures its seas, embraces data-driven reforms, and enforces transparent laws, the nation can transform into Africa’s undisputed trade hub and a global benchmark for customs excellence.
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