Customs Partners Ethiopian Embassy To Advance Green Initiatives, Climate Action

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability by hosting an Ethiopian delegation at its Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, 4 September 2026, to explore collaboration on climate action and environmental protection.

Receiving the delegation, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, said modern Customs administrations had responsibilities that extended beyond revenue collection and anti-smuggling to include environmental protection and the preservation of endangered species.

He said the Service had continued to respond to these responsibilities through strategic partnerships and initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, while commending the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) for its practical interventions in this area.

“Environmental sustainability is no longer outside the responsibilities of Customs. As a Service, we must continue to support initiatives that protect our environment and contribute to a sustainable future,” he stated.

The President of COWA, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, who was present at the meeting, disclosed that the association had planted 14,822 trees within eight months across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and border areas. She said COWA would commence its 35,000-tree initiative in September, targeting 1,000 trees in each state.

“Our Green Border Sustainability Initiative is about more than planting trees; it is about creating awareness, educating our communities and building a culture of environmental responsibility,” she stated.

Representing the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Legesse Haile, the Embassy’s Minister-Counsellor for Political Affairs, Misgna Abrha, said Ethiopia was willing to share its experience in environmental protection and climate action with Nigeria and other African countries.

He highlighted Ethiopia’s Green Legacy experience, noting that the country had planted 48 billion seedlings in eight years, and said initiatives such as Plant Africa could strengthen environmental networks among African youths. The engagement also included discussions on the Plant Africa initiative and broader collaboration between the Embassy and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), with activities extending to tree planting at the University of Abuja and other locations within the FCT.