Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has sensitised border stakeholders in Badagry, Lagos State, on trade facilitation measures aimed at achieving seamless cross-border transactions and 24-hour export clearance to neighbouring countries.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation programme with the theme, “Empowering Cross-Border Trade Through Trade Information”, the Director of Consumer Affairs, Mrs Ify Okolue, said the initiative was designed to enhance transparency, efficiency and competitiveness in cross-border trade.
Okolue commended the Executive Secretary of NSC, Dr Pius Akutah, for sustained stakeholder engagement to improve inter-border trade operations.
She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to promoting seamless and cost-effective trade across Nigeria’s borders, noting that the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs) was both timely and strategic.
“The BIC provides traders with accurate information on tariffs, documentation requirements, import and export procedures, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and other regulatory obligations.
“The BIC also reduces information gaps and directly addresses one of the key barriers to trade formalisation and competitiveness,” she said.
Okolue explained that the initiative aligns with the council’s statutory mandate as Nigeria’s port economic regulator to promote efficiency, fairness and cost-effectiveness in ports and transport corridors.
“Our oversight extends beyond seaports to inland corridors and border posts, where logistics performance significantly affects trade outcomes,” she said.
She said the council, in partnership with Borderless Alliance, GIZ, USAID West Africa Trade Hub, Economic Community of West African States and the Nigeria Customs Service, has facilitated the establishment of Border Information Centres at Seme–Krake, Jibia–Maradi, Illela–Birnin Koni and Mfum–Nkot borders.
She added that the Idiroko Border Information Centre would become operational before the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Okolue also highlighted the promotion of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) to provide safe resting facilities for truck drivers and access to essential support services.
“The establishment of complaints handling and dispute resolution mechanisms ensures exporters and other stakeholders can visit our offices nationwide, including those at the BICs, to lodge complaints or make enquiries. Complaints can also be submitted online via our platform.
“The ongoing cost moderation initiatives, issuance of operational guidelines, stakeholder sensitisation, and capacity-building programmes are aimed at enhancing compliance and efficiency within the trade ecosystem.
“Stakeholders are also encouraged to formally register with the Council to enable us serve you better and ensure effective engagement,” she said.
Representing the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, the Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, said the service had enhanced trade facilitation by clearing perishable goods in less than two hours to neighbouring countries to encourage exports.
He commended small-scale business operators for contributing significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and helping to reduce social vices.
“The Seme Customs Command generated over N15 billion in revenue in 2025, the highest in the history of the command, due to enhanced inter-border trading.
“The command also generated N4.1 billion between Feb. 1 and Feb. 24, 2026, as against N650 million generated in February 2025, as a result of increased export produce along the border corridor.
“Stakeholders should inform senior customs officers if they encounter more than two checkpoints because the only approved checkpoints under the joint border security arrangement are Agbara and Gbaji,” he said.
Adenuga urged exporters and border stakeholders to seek more knowledge and enhance compliance to reduce the time required for doing business and achieve faster border clearance.
Also speaking, the Director of Trade at Economic Community of West African States, Mr Kolawole Sofola, represented by Sarah Okporufe, emphasised the need for regular sensitisation and awareness campaigns on documentation, dispute resolution and best practices at the Seme border corridor.
He highlighted the importance of e-commerce, gender-inclusive trade and sustainable practices in cross-border trade.
“The ECOWAS Treaty provides for the removal of trade barriers and harmonisation of trade policies with the objective of establishing a Free Trade Area, a Customs Union and a Common Market.
“The ECOWAS Vision 2050 seeks to achieve a fully integrated community of peoples in a peaceful and prosperous region, with Pillar Three focusing on economic integration and interconnectivity,” he said.
Sofola noted that many traders along the Seme corridor had yet to explore the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), which allows duty-free movement of eligible goods within the region, and encouraged traders to obtain valid travel documents to facilitate movement across member states.
