The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has confirmed the reopening of the Seme Border in Lagos after seven years of closure against the Benin Republic over alleged smuggling activities.
Speaking with Shipping Position, a maritime industry publication, over the weekend, Adeniyi described the reopening as a strategic move aligned with Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a regional transit corridor.
He said the decision followed high-level engagements between authorities in the Nigeria and Benin, as well as consultations involving Niger. The discussions culminated in approval for transit cargo movements along the Kébé route.
According to him, Nigeria is fulfilling its obligations to support landlocked neighbouring countries by permitting transit goods destined for Chad and Cameroon to pass through its territory.
However, the CGC assured that tighter technological controls would be deployed to prevent diversion of transit consignments into the domestic market.
Adeniyi further disclosed that transit operations from major seaports, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, would continue under enhanced monitoring systems aimed at boosting revenue generation and strengthening national security.
He noted that the Service’s 2026 strategy would prioritise sustained trade facilitation, deeper deployment of technology for risk management and cargo tracking, as well as stronger partnerships with the trading community.
The Customs boss expressed confidence that these measures would support the projected ₦9 trillion revenue target for 2026 and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub in West and Central Africa.
Adeniyi revealed that the Service is intensifying trade facilitation reforms and expanding the use of technology to curb cargo diversion and revenue leakages. He added that the final revenue target would be unveiled after consultations with the appropriation committees of the National Assembly.
He also disclosed that more than ₦100 billion was recovered from traders who voluntarily returned to regularise underpaid duties after reviewing their records, describing the development as unprecedented.
According to him, the improved compliance is attributable to enhanced transparency, automation of processes, and sustained engagement with operators across the trading ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the CGC said the Service exceeded its 2025 revenue target by about 11 per cent, linking the performance to reforms that have made trade processes easier and more predictable.
He noted that the improvements have boosted cargo throughput and encouraged voluntary compliance among importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, clearing agents, and freight forwarders at ports and border stations nationwide.