In a bold push to strengthen trade relations and drive economic growth, the Ogun II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has renewed its pledge to create a more business-friendly environment while sustaining robust revenue generation.
The Area Controller, Comptroller Olusola Akingbade, made the declaration during a sweeping familiarisation tour of excise factories and Free Trade Zones across the Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ota, and Agbara/Igbesa industrial corridors of Ogun State.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Dauda Adamu, disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abeokuta that the tour was designed to deepen collaboration and foster mutual trust between Customs and key industrial stakeholders.
Addressing industry leaders during the tour, Akingbade emphasized that her administration would operate an open-door policy anchored on transparency, dialogue, and partnership. She noted that Customs’ success in revenue generation and trade facilitation relies heavily on strong cooperation with the business community.
“Customs cannot operate in isolation. Our progress depends on how effectively we listen, engage, and collaborate with stakeholders. My office remains open to your suggestions as we pursue shared economic goals,” she affirmed.
Akingbade assured that the command would promptly address challenges hindering smooth trade operations, stressing that Customs’ role extends beyond revenue collection to include the active facilitation of legitimate commerce.
“We will take every necessary step to ensure that lawful trade in these Free Trade Zones continues to thrive within the bounds of the law,” she pledged.
During the visit, Akingbade toured major industrial giants including Nigerian Breweries Plc (Ota and Sagamu), Rite Foods Limited, Intercontinental Distilleries, Nigeria Distilleries, the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Flour Mills, and Celplas Free Trade Zone — reaffirming Customs’ readiness to remove bottlenecks and build a more seamless trading environment across Ogun’s industrial landscape.
