By Edem Ekpo
The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and the Nigeria Customs Service have agreed to forge closer ties aimed at strengthening trade, security, and sustainable development in the South-South region.
At a weekend meeting in Abuja, SSDC Managing Director, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, led a delegation to Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team. She congratulated the Customs leadership on its reforms and modernization drive and praised its role in effective service delivery.
Akpabio described the South-South as a vital gateway to Nigeria’s economy, with its seaports, oil and gas terminals, free trade zones, and international borders. She stressed that Customs is a key partner in revenue generation, border protection, and trade facilitation, noting that collaboration would enhance regional integration, security, and infrastructure.
The two organisations discussed joint projects such as upgrading ports and border facilities to reduce congestion, adopting technology for faster cargo clearance, and promoting industrialisation in free trade zones and deep-sea ports. They also highlighted the need to curb security threats, including oil theft, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal trade across border communities.
Akpabio urged policies that balance revenue collection with the welfare of host communities. She proposed partnerships on corporate social responsibility initiatives in education, healthcare, and vocational training, as well as awareness campaigns to encourage legal trade and opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.
In his response, Comptroller-General Adeniyi welcomed the initiative and pledged Customs’ commitment to a transparent and mutually beneficial framework that aligns with national development goals.
The meeting ended with a pledge by both parties to promote accountability, collaboration, and shared responsibility to drive inclusive economic growth in the South-South region.