Customs, MAN Set Fresh Agenda for Economic Growth
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has said the Nigeria Customs Service and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, must deepen engagement and build lasting friendship to address economic challenges confronting the country.
Adeniyi stated this on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the MAN Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, to the Customs headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
He stressed that both institutions needed to move beyond immediate concerns and set a new agenda anchored on understanding, commitment and broader stakeholder participation.
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“The only way to build enduring collaboration is when we understand from both sides what the issues are,” Adeniyi said. “When you are challenged, you become sensitive to everything that will get you out of the situation you find yourself in.”
The Customs boss listed ongoing initiatives aimed at trade facilitation, including the Authorised Economic Operator programme, Advanced Ruling, Corporate Social Responsibility framework, the indigenous B’Odogwu platform and the creation of special desks to address industry concerns.
He disclosed that preparations were in top gear for a conference in November to bring Customs and key stakeholders together to drive the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We are looking forward to a situation where we will set an agenda that goes beyond the issues on the ground,” he said, adding that the Service was willing to meet manufacturers in Lagos to broaden consultations.
In his remarks, MAN’s Director-General, Ajayi-Kadiri, described Customs as an indispensable partner, noting that Nigeria’s economic realities required accelerated and sustained engagement between both institutions.
“I am happy that once again we are reigniting what we used to have,” he said. “Many developments in the economy require us to expand this engagement and make it work.”
He added that MAN was more interested in strengthening collaboration than confrontation, stressing that the association’s structured policy process ensured its positions reflected the realities facing industries across the country.
