Customs, NCC Forge Stronger Partnership to Monitor Devices, Boost Security, Public Safety
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper collaboration aimed at strengthening national security, boosting revenue, and protecting public safety through the tighter monitoring of imported communication devices.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, gave this assurance on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, when he hosted the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, and his delegation on a courtesy visit to the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi explained that the Service was now looking beyond its traditional revenue mandate to the wider security implications of unchecked importation of mobile devices and related equipment. He stressed that closer synergy with the NCC would enable both agencies to develop stronger monitoring systems.
“Both for effective security and revenue, we will be committed to deepening collaboration,” Adeniyi stated.
The Customs chief highlighted that technology-related imports, including mobile phones, network boosters, and other telecommunications equipment, must be subjected to rigorous certification and proper classification under the Customs tariff regime.
He noted that such measures would ensure only authorised importers are permitted to bring them into the country.
To this end, Adeniyi revealed that the Service would work closely with the NCC to train its officers on certification processes and align tariff codes with regulated devices to prevent abuses at the nation’s borders.
On broader public safety, the CGC drew attention to the challenges posed by facilities located in densely populated urban areas.
He observed that Abuja’s growing concentration of high-rise buildings, places of worship, and sensitive institutions demands vigilance and continuous cooperation between regulatory agencies to avert disasters.
In his remarks, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, congratulated Adeniyi on his recent election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, describing it as a recognition of his leadership both locally and internationally.
Maida underscored the importance of the NCC’s Device Management System (DMS), a platform designed to track imported phones and block substandard devices, noting that it would not only enhance revenue for Customs but also significantly improve the quality of service for telecom subscribers.
“One of the least understood factors affecting service quality is the device itself. If a subscriber is using a substandard phone, no matter the investment operators make in their networks, service quality will remain poor. That is why the DMS project is critical,” Maida explained.
He further raised concerns over the uncontrolled use of network boosters, warning that although they may sometimes assist individuals, they often distort signals and degrade overall network quality.
He therefore sought the support of Customs in restricting the importation of uncertified boosters and ensuring that only approved devices are allowed into the Nigerian market.
Maida reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to sustaining the spirit of collaboration between the two agencies, stressing that their partnership would play a vital role in tackling revenue leakages while also safeguarding consumer interests.
