The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged key stakeholders to enhance trade facilitation and optimise cargo movement through rail transport.
Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Tunde Ayagbalo, revealed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday.
Ayagbalo stated the engagement took place on Wednesday at the command, with representatives from the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), clearing agents and freight forwarders.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), said the meeting followed the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
He noted that the aim was to improve logistics through multimodal transport systems, particularly rail, to support seamless trade operations.
“Rail has been operational for some time. We want to fine-tune the system to better support our trade facilitation goals,” Olomu explained.
He emphasised that a seamless process would benefit stakeholders, whose support remains crucial for the command’s efficiency.
Olomu praised the stakeholders’ participation, calling it a “confidence booster” and a sign of shared commitment to improved cargo movement.
Representing the NRC, Head of Operations, Akin Oshinowo, reaffirmed the agency’s ongoing collaboration with the Customs Service.
“We’ve always had a solid partnership with the Comptroller and his team, forming part of our established Standard Operating Procedure (SOP),” he said.
Oshinowo added that the discussions align with NRC’s goals and support Nigeria’s renewed agenda for advancing rail transport nationwide.
Other stakeholders welcomed the initiative, saying it could reduce import costs and enhance cargo distribution efficiency across the country.
Dr Osita Chukwu, National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition, also praised the Customs Service.
“With current government efforts, we hope this initiative spreads nationwide and benefits all regions,” he stated.
Ayagbalo said the session included an interactive segment where participants highlighted challenges and suggested practical solutions for improving rail cargo operations.
