Customs, MAN Chart New Course for Deeper Partnership to Boost Economic Growth
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has called for a renewed and sustained partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), emphasising that only through mutual understanding of challenges can both institutions build lasting cooperation.
Adeniyi made this appeal on Thursday, 18 September 2025, when the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
The visit, which highlighted the strategic importance of collaboration between Customs and manufacturers, centred on setting a new agenda for deeper engagements that extend beyond short-term concerns.
The Customs Chief stressed that enduring solutions to trade and industrial issues could only be found when stakeholders approached them with clarity, commitment, and broader buy-in.
He particularly lauded MAN’s structured consultative process, where matters are debated across ten sectors and more than sixty sub-sectors before harmonised positions are presented through its Economic Policy Committee.
“I have always said that the only way for you to appreciate what can bring lasting friendship, collaboration, and partnership is when we understand from both sides what the issues are,” Adeniyi said. “When you are challenged, you become quite sensitive to everything that will get you out of the situation you find yourself in.”
Highlighting Customs’ reforms in trade facilitation, Adeniyi cited the Authorised Economic Operator programme, Advanced Ruling, Corporate Social Responsibility framework, the indigenous B’Odogwu platform, and the creation of special desks tailored to industry needs.
He also disclosed that preparations were underway for a major conference in November, which will bring Customs and other critical stakeholders together to deliberate on strategies for effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, the Service is keen to involve MAN in its ongoing initiatives. “We are looking forward to a situation where we will set an agenda that goes beyond the issues on the ground. There are a number of initiatives already on course, and we would like MAN to be part of them,” he stated.
He further proposed broader engagement with manufacturers, assuring that Customs is ready to travel to Lagos to meet MAN members at their base if required. “After your consultations, you can get back to us so that we can fix a date and venue for a wider meeting. We need to keep this conversation going without delay,” he added.
On his part, MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, underscored the indispensability of Customs in tackling Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He insisted that there should be no barriers between both organisations, noting that the time was ripe to accelerate engagement and expand the scope of collaboration.
“I am happy that once again we are reigniting what we used to have. Many developments in the economy require us to accelerate this engagement, expand it and make it work,” Ajayi-Kadiri said.
He commended the CGC for his openness and willingness to embrace fresh ideas, pointing out that MAN’s structured approach to policy-making ensures that every recommendation reflects the realities manufacturers face across the country.
According to him, the association is determined to strengthen dialogue with Customs in a spirit of partnership rather than confrontation, particularly as industries continue to grapple with mounting pressures.
The renewed commitment between the two institutions is expected to pave the way for more robust engagements aimed at addressing trade bottlenecks, improving industrial output, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness within the AfCFTA framework.
