Airline Operators Laud Nigeria Customs for Business-Friendly Reforms, Pledge Continued Collaboration
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for implementing far-reaching reforms designed to ease business operations, describing the initiatives as a new chapter of cooperation between the aviation industry and Customs.
A high-level delegation of the AON Board of Trustees, led by its President, Abdulmunaf Sarina, paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja on Monday, 22 September 2025.
Welcoming the delegation, Adeniyi praised the strategic role played by the airline operators in the Nigerian economy, stressing that their contributions extended beyond financial investments.
“It is very pleasing to know that members of the Board of Trustees and indeed other members of AON are not just investors in the aviation sector, but they are also playing very strategic roles in the economy. We appreciate the expertise, knowledge, and cerebral contributions your members continue to bring into this sector,” he stated.
The Customs chief disclosed that the discussions with AON covered much more than the contentious 4 per cent Free on Board (FOB) levy, noting that both parties had reached mutually beneficial conclusions.
He further outlined reforms being undertaken by the Service to facilitate trade, including the introduction of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, advanced ruling for importers, and the creation of aviation desks at airports, seaports, and courier hubs.
Adeniyi also clarified that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) was not a unilateral charge by Nigeria but rather a regional obligation binding on all member states.
Speaking on behalf of AON, its Vice President, Allen Onyema, lauded the CGC’s pro-business approach, which he said had transformed the once adversarial relationship between Customs and private sector players into a constructive partnership.
“In the past, dealing with Customs was like climbing a mountain blindly. We often fought with Customs and took our grievances to the media. Since assuming office, CGC Adeniyi has transformed the Service into one that listens, engages, and supports businesses. This is why the AON Board decided to pay this first-ever courtesy call to say thank you and encourage you to continue in this positive direction,” Onyema said.
He went on to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing reform-minded leaders such as Adeniyi, stressing that the changes had enhanced business operations, created jobs, and boosted revenue generation for Nigeria.
The AON leadership assured of their continued cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service in advancing both the aviation sector and the wider national economy.
