Nigeria Customs Service signs anti‑smuggling pact with BAT and expands trade reforms with US firms

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and British American Tobacco Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the NCS headquarters in Abuja. The agreement creates a framework for intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement and capacity‑building to curb illicit tobacco trafficking. Comptroller‑General Adewale Adeniyi described the pact as a strategic tool to protect legitimate commerce, while BAT Nigeria Managing Director Yarub Al‑Bahrani called it a landmark development for responsible business practice.

In a separate engagement on 16 June 2026, the NCS met with the American Business Council at the same location. Participants discussed trade‑facilitation reforms, including the Advance Ruling system, the Authorised Economic Operator programme, Post‑Clearance Audit processes and the B’Odogwu digital platform, as well as upgrades to scanning technology and cargo‑clearance automation. Adeniyi said the goal is to institutionalise such dialogues to improve transparency, reduce delays and attract foreign investment. Council President Nneka Enwereji praised the reforms and the commitment to easing business operations for U.S. companies operating in Nigeria.