Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, last week led a high-powered delegation on crucial mission to meet with the Director-General of the Customs Administration of the Republic of Benin, Thursday, April 11, 2024. This is in line with efforts to strengthen the longstanding cooperation between the Customs Administrations of both West African sister countries.

The primary focus of the meeting, as outlined by the Nigeria Customs boss was to hold talks on strategies aimed at amplifying trade activities between the two nations and ensuring the seamless implementation of recommendations previously discussed during their rendezvous in Cotonou.

Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, the CGC said: “We are cognisant of the established framework for cooperation between our respective Customs Administrations. This framework was established at a higher level by the authorities of the heads of State, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin and Nigeria’s president, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, both expressing a desire to work together. It is upon this foundation that the customs of both countries are united in their efforts.”

Welcoming the delegation with open arms, Director-General of Benin Customs Administration, Mrs. Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, who accorded the delegation a warm welcome, reiterated their steadfast commitment to executing the mutually agreed-upon measures, emphasising the importance of thorough monitoring to ensure effective implementation.

The collaborative endeavours between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Benin Republic Customs Administration, according to her, serve as a testament to their shared commitment to facilitating seamless trade operations and ensuring the efficient management of cross-border activities for the mutual benefit of both nations.

In the meantime, during the visit, the CGC seized the opportunity to inspect ongoing projects within the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command.

Accompanied by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the CGC meticulously assessed the progress of the projects and received assurances for diligent supervision and timely completion of the projects by the relevant authorities.