From right: Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR presents a souvenir to the Executive Director/CEO, NEPC Mrs. Nonye Ayeni during the visit.

The Nigeria Customs Service has affirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council NEPC on initiatives to enhance trade and boost the country’s non-oil exports, especially solid mineral, agro and allied products.

Speaking Tuesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the management team of the agency to the Customs corporate headquarters, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, said the service under his watch is ready for collaborations that would boost the country’s export drive, especially non-oil products.

Addressing the guests, CGC Adeniyi said: “Collaborating with the NEPC will significantly aim at leveraging the Council’s expertise and resources to streamline export processes further, reduce bottlenecks, and create a conducive environment for exporters.”

A highpoint of the visit was a joint meeting held at the Customs headquarters same day, where the Comptroller-General reiterated the importance of redefining exports as a means to increase the volume of outbound trade.

He commended Nigeria’s efforts in managing trade but however emphasised the need for enhanced support for exports, particularly in the realm of logistics.

Meanwhile, Executive Director/ CEO of the NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, while speaking during the meeting, praised the Comptroller-General of Customs for his remarkable achievements since assuming office last year.

She highlighted the abundance of resources in Nigeria, especially agricultural products and solid minerals, and stressed the importance of advocacy with relevant agencies to alleviate the challenges faced by exporters.

Ayeni also emphasised the significance of non-oil exports for economic growth and development, calling for collaborative efforts to actualise the “Export 35 redefined” initiative.

She urged sister agencies to actively contribute to minimising logistical challenges exporters face and advocated for establishing aggregation centres to facilitate easier exportation.

According to her, the meeting with NCS is part of NEPC’s commitment to fostering partnerships with key stakeholders in the trade sector to facilitate smoother trade operations and promote economic growth.

Also speaking during the meeting, Customs Area Controller, Lilypond Export Command Lagos, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, highlighted the necessity of the Nigeria Export Proceeds NXP, to repatriate export proceeds and emphasised that no formal export can be done without it.

He identified the absence of NXP as a significant challenge for exporters, stressing its importance in facilitating trade.