By Uloma Peace Okorie
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has continued to strengthen strategic partnerships with key government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to improve security, trade facilitation and economic development.
This was evident on Thursday, August 27, 2026, when the NCS signed separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and Unilever Nigeria PLC at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.
The partnership with the Federal Fire Service is expected to strengthen fire safety and emergency preparedness across Customs facilities, while improving rapid response to emergencies and promoting joint training and information sharing.
Speaking at the ceremony, Adeniyi described the agreement as a deliberate and strategic step towards protecting lives, government property and critical national assets.
“I am very confident that this MoU will translate to practical actions that save lives, protect government assets, and enhance our collective capacity to respond to emergencies,” he said.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, described the agreement as a significant milestone, assuring that the agency would deploy its capacity to protect Customs personnel and assets.
In the agreement with Unilever Nigeria, the Customs Service further demonstrated its commitment to partnering with the private sector to tackle counterfeiting and illicit trade.
Adeniyi said the MoU would enhance intelligence sharing and enable Customs to access timely information on trademarks, product features, packaging and samples to help officers identify counterfeit goods.
He said regular engagement with the private sector had continued to provide useful information that contributes to Customs policies and operational decisions.
The Customs boss also commended Unilever for its long-standing investment in Nigeria and its contribution to employment and industrial development.
Unilever Managing Director, Tobi Adeniyi, said the company, which has operated in Nigeria since 1923, has localised more than 70 per cent of its raw materials and supports about 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.
He commended the Customs Service for its transformation agenda, particularly its digitalisation drive, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and trade facilitation initiatives.
The agreements further highlight the NCS’s growing emphasis under Adeniyi on collaboration, technology, intelligence sharing and stakeholder engagement as tools for strengthening Nigeria’s borders, protecting legitimate businesses and supporting economic growth.