The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has approved the creation of safe corridors and guaranteed passage to speed up the movement of loaded trucks awaiting clearance to the Republic of Niger. The move is aimed at easing long-standing transit delays and boosting cross-border trade.
CGC Adeniyi disclosed this on Friday, 6 February 2026, at a high-level bilateral meeting between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Niger Republic Customs Administration, led by its Director-General, Muhammadu Yaqouba, held at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
He explained that the initiative is designed to improve the smooth movement of transit cargo—especially goods originating from Apapa ports and Nigerian airports and destined for neighbouring countries—while still safeguarding Nigeria’s security and economic interests.
Adeniyi assured stakeholders that transit goods would continue to be processed and moved within 48 hours. He added that robust controls are in place to prevent the diversion of such cargo, warning that operators who breach transit regulations will face severe sanctions.
He noted that the actions of a few non-compliant operators often create non-tariff barriers and erode trust. As a result, the Service is committed to simplifying documentation processes and eliminating unnecessary delays along key trade corridors, including the Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic route, as well as major links connecting Apapa ports and airports to neighbouring countri
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The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated the Director-General of the Niger Republic Customs Administration on his recent appointment, noting that both services have enjoyed decades of professional cooperation through platforms of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) as well as bilateral engagements.
He explained that collaboration between the two Customs administrations goes beyond shared borders, pointing to international commitments—particularly Nigeria’s obligations under Articles 124 to 132 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea—which guarantee landlocked countries access to the sea.
CGC Adeniyi acknowledged the unique challenges faced by landlocked nations, observing that reliance on neighbouring ports and infrastructure often leads to higher transaction costs and reduced competitiveness.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has consistently supported trade facilitation for its landlocked neighbours, including the Republic of Niger, and remains committed to sustaining this support regardless of political differences, stressing that trade facilitation, security, and regional stability are closely linked.
He described the engagement as the start of a renewed chapter in cooperation, adding that continuous follow-up would help reshape operational processes, lower costs, boost trade volumes, and make the corridor more attractive to transport operators.
Earlier, the Director-General of Niger Republic Customs, Muhammadu Yaqouba, described the visit as a professional working engagement between two Customs administrations united by shared responsibilities.
He expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation, noting that it reflected the long-standing bond between both countries and their Customs institutions.
DG Yaqouba explained that the visit was prompted by two major concerns: the prolonged blockage of trucks transiting from the Republic of Benin to Niger, and the prevailing security challenges in the region.
He noted that both countries face similar security threats, particularly terrorism and banditry, and said engagements of this nature provide a valuable platform to develop lasting solutions through closer cooperation and coordination.
He further disclosed that since 2024, the Niger Republic has stepped up efforts to combat terrorism, including the launch of Operation Saran Kasa—a joint initiative involving all national security agencies—which has recorded significant successes.
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As part of the operation, he explained that scanners have been deployed to inspect all goods entering the Niger Republic, noting that Customs administrations play a vital role in the fight against terrorism, arms trafficking, and other cross-border crimes.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major-General Garba Laka, congratulated DG Yaqouba on his appointment and conveyed his condolences to the Government and people of Niger over the recent terrorist attack near Niamey Airport.
Describing the incident as deeply painful, he expressed sympathy with the families of the fallen soldiers and reaffirmed the joint determination of Nigeria and Niger to ensure such an attack does not happen again.
Major-General Laka emphasised that Nigeria and Niger share more than just a common border, describing the two nations as one people bound by long-standing historical, cultural, and family ties, especially among border communities.
He noted that insecurity anywhere in the Sahel has consequences for all, warning that arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and the concealment of ammunition in cargo vehicles remain serious threats that demand sustained and coordinated responses.
The Major-General further disclosed that the Nigerian Government attaches great importance to Niger-related issues, including trade, energy supply, and security, adding that requests from Niger—particularly those concerning petroleum products and gas—receive swift attention at the highest levels of government.
He called for the revival of bilateral security arrangements, such as cross-border right-of-pursuit agreements, and advocated joint Nigeria–Niger operations alongside sustained inter-agency collaboration, expressing confidence that the meeting would yield practical and actionable outcomes.
