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By Steve Agbota
President, Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Yahaya Idris, has highlighted the unintended consequences of Nigeria’s land border closure, particularly the smuggling of vehicles into the country and the tragic loss of Customs officers’ lives.
In an interview with maritime journalists in Lagos recently, Idris, a retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, emphasised the challenges posed by the country’s porous borders. He noted that, despite the closure, Nigeria continues to lose substantial revenue as smugglers exploit the situation.
“Nigeria’s border is too vast and difficult to manage effectively. The closure has only served to fuel smuggling activities, and the officers are the ones paying the price. Many Customs officers have tragically lost their lives while chasing smugglers through forests and difficult terrains,” Idris said.
He recommended reopening the borders to curb these issues, advocating for better control of vehicle imports to reduce smuggling and avoid further losses both in terms of revenue and lives.
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On the issue of trade facilitation, Idris stressed that it is a collective responsibility involving importers, Customs agents, and relevant agencies. “Trade facilitation starts with importers being honest about their consignments. Lack of transparency leads to multiple debits, and this complicates the process. Also, overlapping functions between agencies like NAFDAC and SON create unnecessary delays,” he added.
Idris called for government intervention to delineate the roles of these agencies more clearly and reduce inefficiencies, particularly in the reclassification of goods.
Commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service under Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, Idris acknowledged the improvements in the welfare of officers. “Comptroller General Adeniyi has made it a priority to ensure regular promotions for officers. A happy and motivated workforce is essential for achieving the agency’s goals,” he said.
Idris also expressed optimism about the proposed deep seaport in Badagry, citing the region’s potential to drive economic growth. He affirmed that Badagry’s strategic location and infrastructure make it well-suited for such a project. “Badagry is the gateway to ECOWAS and Europe, and with the right investments, the deep seaport project will thrive,” he concluded.
The insights shared by Idris provide a call for urgent reform in Nigeria’s border management and trade facilitation processes. By addressing these systemic issues, Idris believes the country can curb smuggling, enhance revenue collection, and improve the welfare of its Customs officers.
