UBA, Customs Join Forces To Fast-Track Nigeria’s Trade Revolution

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration aimed at advancing trade facilitation and accelerating key digital transformation initiatives, with a focus on the successful implementation of the National Single Window.

The commitment was made during a high-level meeting held at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, where both organisations explored ways to strengthen cooperation in financial integration, technology-driven customs operations and the Federal Government’s flagship trade facilitation project.

Speaking during the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the partnership as a critical component of the service’s ongoing modernisation agenda, saying collaboration with financial institutions was essential to improving operational efficiency and delivering seamless services to traders and other stakeholders.

Adeniyi said the National Single Window represents a transformative platform that will connect all government agencies involved in international trade, stressing that its success depends on sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“The National Single Window represents a transformative platform that will connect all government agencies involved in international trade,” he said, adding that its success would rely on strong partnerships between government institutions and private sector players.

The customs boss also commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its contributions to youth development and entrepreneurship across Africa.

“I have followed the Foundation very closely. I have watched its activities and seen the remarkable impact it has made, not only on youths in Nigeria but across Africa,” he said.

Leading the UBA delegation, the bank’s Executive Director, Treasury, Beatrice Apkan, reaffirmed the bank’s readiness to support the Customs Service through enhanced financial integration and technological collaboration.

“The bank is ready to support in any way. Whatever integration the Service requires that the bank can partner on, we are ready to be part of that project,” she affirmed.

Apkan added that UBA remained committed to supporting the successful implementation of the National Single Window to improve trade efficiency, facilitate seamless transactions and strengthen inter-agency collaboration.