Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has announced stricter monitoring of outbound cargo and passenger baggage at Nigeria’s international airports as part of efforts to protect the country’s global trade reputation and prevent illicit exports.
Speaking during a working visit to the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, MMAC, the CGC expressed concern about repeated incidents in which goods exported from Nigeria were seized abroad for violating regulatory requirements or posing risks to public health.
Adeniyi also highlighted the growing concern over the export of counterfeit or substandard products, including cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and other regulated goods produced locally but not intended for export markets.
“NCS is strengthening and monitoring risk management frameworks across international airports. We have also enhanced our scrutiny to ensure that cargo declarations, export documentation, and passenger baggage are done in accordance with international best practises,” he stated.
The CGC also announced plans to collaborate with airline and cargo terminal operators, as well as other agencies, to ensure strict adherence to export regulations.
He reiterated that while the NCS will continue to facilitate legitimate trade, safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and protecting the integrity of its international gateways remain paramount.
“Any officer found to have acted as an accessory to the committing of those offences related to illegal exportations of goods from Nigeria would be penalised. Heavy sanctions will also await other stakeholders who must have acted in collusion, an act of omission, or whether they do it deliberately,” he warned.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, described the CGC’s visit as an opportunity for officers to receive strategic guidance and align their operations with the reform agenda of the Service.
“We view this engagement as an opportunity to present our modest achievement, discuss operational realities and receive your invaluable directives that will further enhance our performance,” he said.
