The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have pledged to deepen their collaboration to enhance revenue generation, bolster national security, and protect public safety through stricter oversight of imported communication devices.
During a courtesy visit to the Customs House in Abuja on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, welcomed NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Aminu Maida, and emphasized the importance of aligning technology imports with national security priorities.
Adeniyi noted that the unchecked importation of mobile phones, network boosters, and telecom equipment poses risks beyond revenue loss. He stressed the need for joint monitoring systems and proper certification under Customs’ tariff regime to ensure only authorized devices enter the country.
“Both for effective security and revenue, we will be committed to deepening collaboration,” Adeniyi affirmed.
He also highlighted plans to train Customs officers on device certification and tariff alignment, while calling for shared vigilance in urban areas like Abuja, where high-rise buildings and sensitive institutions require coordinated safety efforts.
Maida, in turn, congratulated Adeniyi on his recent election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, praising his leadership on the global stage.
He underscored the role of NCC’s Device Management System (DMS) in tracking imported phones and blocking substandard devices, which not only improves service quality for telecom users but also supports Customs in curbing revenue leakages.
“One of the least understood factors affecting service quality is the device itself. If a subscriber is using a substandard phone, no matter the investment operators make in their networks, service quality will remain poor. That’s why the DMS project is critical,” Maida explained.
He also raised concerns about the misuse of uncertified network boosters, which degrade signal quality, and called for Customs’ support in restricting their importation.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cooperation, aiming to tackle the twin challenges of consumer protection and national revenue optimization.