Nigeria Customs Service Revamps Enforcement Strategy for 2025, Dissolves Joint Border Patrol Team to Bolster Trade and Security

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the transformative leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has announced a bold shift in its enforcement strategy for 2025. This strategic pivot not only aims to modernize border management but also reaffirms the agency’s commitment to leveraging technology and intelligence for enhanced national security and trade facilitation.

Reflecting on the journey, the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), which was officially dissolved as part of the new strategy, played a historic role in shaping Nigeria’s border control landscape. Launched in 2019 during the partial border closure under the operation “Ex-Swift Response,” the JBPT emerged as a formidable force in curbing smuggling and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade regulations. For over five years, this collaboration between the NCS and other government agencies like the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) set a benchmark in coordinated border enforcement.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, speaking on behalf of the CGC, expressed deep gratitude to the partner agencies whose dedication and cooperation proved instrumental in safeguarding the nation’s land borders during critical times. He emphasized that while the JBPT is being retired, its legacy of teamwork and resilience will inspire future enforcement efforts.

Looking ahead, the NCS is set to adopt innovative, intelligence-driven approaches to border management. By deploying advanced geospatial tools and risk management frameworks, the Service aims to enhance operational efficiency, eliminate trade bottlenecks, and ensure seamless movement of goods and persons. The decision to reduce customs checkpoints nationwide further underscores the NCS’s resolve to streamline processes and foster a conducive environment for legitimate trade.

As stakeholders reflect on this evolution, the message from the NCS is clear: the dissolution of the JBPT is not an end but a transformative step towards a more sophisticated and secure border enforcement framework. The CGC, in his statement, reassured Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of customs officers to safeguarding the nation’s borders and supporting economic growth through trade facilitation.

This reflection serves as a testament to the NCS’s enduring mission—to combat economic saboteurs while creating a future-ready customs service that aligns with Nigeria’s broader development goals.