The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed strong commitment to fast-tracking Nigeria’s integration into global trade systems through the adoption of international trade facilitation standards developed by the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT).
NCS gave the assurance on Friday during a high-level stakeholders’ interactive session organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), themed “Strengthening Trade Facilitation and Digital Transformation in Nigeria through UN/CEFACT Standards”.
The session, held at the NEPC headquarters in Abuja, brought together key players from the public and private sectors to deliberate on aligning Nigeria’s trade ecosystem with global best practices.
UN/CEFACT, a subsidiary intergovernmental body of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), is tasked with simplifying and harmonising international trade procedures. It develops globally accepted standards and recommendations for electronic business and regulatory cooperation to enhance efficiency in cross-border transactions.
Representing the Nigeria Customs Service at the occasion were Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mary-Ann Egwunyega, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Nnamdi Digwo, and Chief Superintendent of Customs Miriam Ogalu, who all underscored the pivotal role of Customs in advancing the country’s trade facilitation agenda.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Comptroller Mary-Ann Egwunyega explained that the NCS is actively implementing several trade-enabling initiatives in line with UN/CEFACT standards.Q These include the Advance Ruling system, which supports predictability in the classification, valuation, and origin of goods; the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, comprising the AEO Simplified and AEO Safety & Security schemes; and the indigenous B’Odogwu system, a digital innovation aimed at improving integration and collaboration in port operations.
“Our alignment with UN/CEFACT is strategic. These tools reduce time and cost for compliant traders, strengthen transparency, and help position Nigeria as a serious player in the global trade ecosystem,” she said.
On his part, Assistant Comptroller Nnamdi Digwo stressed the need for improved regulatory cooperation and cross-border data integration. “Our approach to trade facilitation goes beyond automation; it is about creating a trusted network of systems and institutions. By harmonising data, ensuring interoperability, and fostering transparency, Customs can reduce delays and contribute meaningfully to national revenue and security,” he noted.
Also, Chief Superintendent of Customs Miriam Ogalu emphasised the importance of human capacity development and institutional synergy in actualising trade facilitation objectives. “While standards and technology are essential, the real transformation happens when officers and stakeholders have the right skills to implement them. Customs is prioritising continuous training, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative enforcement to ensure that the benefits of trade facilitation reach every link in the export value chain,” she said.
In her keynote address, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, stated that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from adopting UN/CEFACT standards, citing potential reductions in trade costs by up to 30%, a 10% boost in GDP, and improved ease of doing business. She reiterated NEPC’s role as the permanent secretariat of Nigeria’s UN/CEFACT delegation, and expressed optimism that implementing these standards would open new doors for exporters and investors.
“This is about creating solid regulatory and legal frameworks to ensure that our exporters benefit from reduced costs and improved turnaround time. It’s also about ensuring our processes and documentation are fully digitalised, enhancing trade facilitation to be more effective and efficient,” she said.
NEPC’s Deputy Director of Trade Facilitation, Afolabi Bello, also urged Nigeria to leverage UN/CEFACT’s tools to simplify trade, lower costs, and boost competitiveness in global markets.
Stakeholders at the session unanimously agreed that the successful adoption of UN/CEFACT standards would position Nigeria as a continental leader in trade facilitation. They, however, called for bold and sustained commitment from both the government and the private sector to drive reforms, standardise processes, and foster a digitally enabled trade ecosystem.
