In a bold step toward regional transformation, the Nigeria Customs Service has pledged full support for the newly inaugurated South-South Development Commission, positioning the alliance as a catalyst for economic growth and strategic development.
During a courtesy visit to the Customs House in Abuja on Thursday, 18 September 2025, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi welcomed the Commission’s Managing Director, Usoro Akpabio, and her team, commending her recent appointment and the Commission’s ambitious mandate.
Adeniyi emphasized that the 2023 Customs Act introduced sweeping reforms that require inclusive dialogue and collaboration. He proposed the formation of a joint working group to explore synergies in trade facilitation, border management, and regional integration. He also stressed the importance of engaging broader stakeholders to accelerate implementation.
Highlighting Customs’ commitment to inclusive development, Adeniyi referenced the Service’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which supports host communities through initiatives in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Akpabio, in response, praised Customs’ modernization efforts and reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to building a long-term partnership. She outlined the Commission’s expansive focus areas—including the blue economy, agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital development—across the South-South region.
Recognizing Customs’ strategic footprint in seaports, oil and gas hubs, free trade zones, and border operations, Akpabio underscored the Service’s vital role in the region’s economic blueprint. She assured that the alliance would be anchored in transparency and designed to endure beyond current leadership tenures.
Together, both institutions signaled a shared vision for inclusive growth, regional empowerment, and national development.