- Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi (right), receiving the NESREA insignia from the Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Dr. Innocent Barikor, when the later led the agency’s management on a courtesy visit to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja…recently
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to enhancing collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for environmental safety, trade efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the NESREA management to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, Adeniyi described inter-agency synergy as crucial to achieving national economic and security goals.
“We recognise the importance of collaboration and partnership,” Adeniyi said. “Many of us have witnessed the golden era of synergy between Customs and NESREA, whether at seaports or border stations. Our commitment to this partnership remains unwavering.”
He noted that the World Customs Organisation consistently advocates active cooperation between regulatory agencies, highlighting how such partnerships drive trade facilitation, environmental enforcement and national security.
Adeniyi also outlined the NCS’s 2024 achievements, including surpassing its N5.1 trillion revenue target by November and exceeding N6 trillion by December – achievements attributed to improved efficiency and strategic collaborations.
He further explained that “these successes are not just about revenue but reflect our efforts to create a structured, technology-driven trade environment.”
Adeniyi further emphasised the agency’s commitment to digital transformation, intelligence gathering and strategic alliances, proposing deeper digital integration with NESREA to streamline regulatory enforcement.
“If we can establish a digital handshake between our platforms – seamlessly sharing data, approvals and compliance information,” he stated. “We can significantly enhance environmental protection while improving trade efficiency.”
On his part, NESREA Director-General, Dr. Innocent Barikor, commended the NCS for its progressive reforms and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to stronger collaboration. He further stressed the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in restricting hazardous imports.
Barikor said “Customs and NESREA share a common law enforcement responsibility, especially at the nation’s borders,” in enforcing 35 environmental regulations covering air, land and sea pollution and waste management.
Barikor also raised concerns about the increasing importation of end-of-life electronics and other environmentally harmful goods, warning that improper disposal poses severe risks.
According to him, “some organisations are importing goods that no longer align with environmental best practices, particularly electronic waste. Our inability to manage the resulting hazardous chemicals is already affecting our ecosystem.”
He urged the NCS to enforce import restrictions on environmentally unsafe goods, and greater participation in environmental advocacy, regulatory policy-making and compliance monitoring, as well as joint capacity-building initiatives.
