The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders to enhance revenue generation and facilitate legitimate trade.
As part of this effort, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, Wale Moses Adewole, led members of the command’s management team on a courtesy visit to British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN).
A statement issued by Akintola Abdulmalik, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Command Public Relations Officer, explained that during the visit on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Customs delegation was received by the Director of Operations of the company, Hasnain Ishtiaq.
Adewole commended the management of BATN for its warm reception and praised the company for its significant contribution to the Service through excise duty payments and compliance with regulations governing excise operations.
He noted that BATN remains one of the key stakeholders supporting the Service’s mandate of promoting legitimate trade and boosting national revenue.
The Acting Controller emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation between the Customs Service and the company, urging continued collaboration to ensure effective revenue collection in line with the statutory responsibilities of the Service.
In his response, Ishtiaq thanked the Customs delegation for the visit and for recognising BATN as a critical stakeholder of the Service.
He commended the NCS for its commitment to revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade, and protection of the nation’s borders, describing these roles as vital to Nigeria’s economic development.
Ishtiaq also assured the command of BATN’s continued cooperation and full compliance with all regulatory requirements in support of national economic growth.
In a related development, Adewole also paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Akeem Owoade, where he acknowledged the traditional institution as a custodian of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yoruba people.
During the visit, the Acting Controller highlighted the importance of community collaboration in combating smuggling and appealed to the monarch to use his revered position to sensitise residents on the dangers of smuggling and its negative impact on the nation’s economy.
Responding, the Alaafin commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s economy through effective revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
The monarch assured the command of the palace’s support in sensitising the people of Oyo and its environs on the need to shun smuggling and embrace lawful economic activities that will contribute to national development.
Adewole reaffirmed that the Oyo/Osun Area Command remains committed to strengthening partnerships with stakeholders, traditional institutions, and the public to enhance revenue generation, promote legitimate trade, and support the nation’s economic prosperity.
