NAQS, CUSTOMS COMMIT TO GREATER SYNERGY ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY AND BORDER SECURITY
By Bashir Rabe Mani
in Sokoto
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe PhD, earlier today paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CG Adewale Adeniyi, at the Customs Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.
During the visit, Dr. Isegbe congratulated CG Adewale Adeniyi on the extension of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He described the Customs boss as an exceptional administrator whose visionary leadership has ushered in unprecedented reforms in the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, digital transformation, and modernization of customs processes. He noted that these reforms have significantly enhanced the ease of doing business and strengthened Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
Dr. Isegbe also expressed his appreciation for the longstanding cordial relationship between the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the Nigeria Customs Service. He commended the sustained collaboration between both agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and protecting the nation’s economy.
Among the key issues discussed, the NAQS Comptroller General requested the integration of the Service into the B’Odogwu platform to promote seamless trade facilitation, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and improve efforts to identify and apprehend individuals engaged in the use of fraudulent Phytosanitary Certificates for subsequent handover to NAQS for investigation and prosecution.
In his remarks, the Comptroller General of Customs, CG Adewale Adeniyi, described Dr. Isegbe as an accomplished professional and commended the remarkable transformation of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service under his leadership. He observed that NAQS has continued to evolve into a critical institution, playing complementary roles with other government agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s agricultural resources, protecting plant and animal health, and facilitating safe international trade.
At the end of the meeting, both Comptrollers General reaffirmed their commitment t
