The engagement forms part of the Chamber’s broader efforts to consult with businesses, logistics operators, government agencies and other key stakeholders along the Nigeria–Benin trade corridor, with a view to identifying practical challenges affecting cross-border trade and developing workable solutions.

Modern Bonded Terminal Supports Trade Facilitation

The NB-CCI delegation was received by the Manager of Only God is Wise Bonded Terminal, Mr. Abidemi Mobasiru Adetona, who took the team through the facility.

The sprawling terminal is equipped to handle various categories of containers and goods and provides facilities designed to support the smooth processing of imports and exports. Nigeria Customs Service officials are also stationed at the facility to facilitate the necessary customs processes and documentation.

The visit provided the Chamber with an opportunity to better understand the operational realities faced by importers, exporters, logistics operators and other businesses operating within the Seme corridor.

Call for Practical Implementation and Stakeholder Sensitisation

The Company Officer in charge of the Imports and Exports Desk, Mr. Kayode Obede, emphasised the importance of speedy implementation of policies and programmes, supported by practical and measurable outcomes.

He also stressed the need for sustained sensitisation, awareness and capacity development of officials, particularly regarding the effective implementation and enforcement of policies along the trade corridor.

Customs Reaffirms Commitment to Trade Facilitation

During the engagement, Deputy Comptroller DC Musa A.A. assured importers, exporters and legitimate cross-border traders of the Command's commitment to the timely processing of documentation and ease of access to customs services.

He highlighted the importance of continued awareness around government policies, including tariff-related issues affecting legitimate small-scale and informal cross-border traders. He also stressed the need for greater public awareness of customs policies and procedures through regular radio sensitisation and community-based information platforms.

The Deputy Comptroller further highlighted ongoing modernisation initiatives within the Nigeria Customs Service, including efforts aimed at reducing clearance times. He referenced Time Release Studies and the objective of reducing the time required for clearance to approximately 6–12 hours, alongside other reforms designed to improve service delivery.

NB-CCI Advocates Land Border Vehicle Importation

A key issue emerging from the Chamber’s broader stakeholder engagement along the corridor is the need for the Federal Government of Nigeria to review and reconsider the policy restricting the importation and clearance of vehicles through the land borders.

The NB-CCI believes that the Seme corridor is strategically positioned to support legitimate vehicle trade, particularly given the existing high-volume vehicle park and related infrastructure for imported vehicles within the border environment.

Rather than allowing such economic infrastructure and existing business capacity to remain underutilised, the Chamber believes that a properly regulated framework for vehicle importation through the land border could create additional opportunities for revenue generation, employment, logistics services, customs compliance and legitimate private-sector participation.

The Chamber recognises and appreciates the significant modernisation efforts being undertaken by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Dr. A. A. Adeniyi, MFR, PSC(+), particularly the Service's efforts to deploy technology, improve customs processes, strengthen risk management and enhance trade facilitation.

The NB-CCI believes that these reforms provide an increasingly stronger institutional and technological foundation for the Federal Government to consider a controlled, transparent and fully compliant framework for legitimate vehicle importation and clearance through designated land borders.

Such a framework could incorporate appropriate customs valuation, documentation, duties and taxes, inspection, registration and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that the reopening of this trade channel is undertaken without compromising national security, revenue protection or regulatory compliance.

The Chamber further believes that the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), security agencies, relevant regulatory authorities, licensed customs agents, terminal operators, importers, transport operators and other stakeholders are capable of working together to establish and enforce the necessary safeguards.

The NB-CCI therefore stands ready to facilitate constructive dialogue between the private sector and the Federal Government on this matter. All stakeholders must work together to ensure that the proper procedures are followed, that legitimate businesses are protected, and that government revenue and national security remain fully safeguarded.

Only God is Wise: Logistics and Trade Support

Only God is Wise was founded by Alhaji Mobasiru Adetona, a Governing Board Member of the NB-CCI. The company provides logistics services to various categories of importers and exporters, with its operations anchored on integrity and service excellence.

The Chamber encourages importers and exporters seeking logistics and bonded-terminal services within the Seme corridor to explore the facilities and services provided by the company.

NB-CCI to Strengthen Trade Advocacy

The Deputy President, Business Development & Partnership, Amb. Nicky Maxwell, also participated in the visit.

The engagement reinforced the Chamber’s commitment to working closely with government agencies, businesses, logistics operators, traders, border communities and other stakeholders to address challenges affecting cross-border trade.

As the NB-CCI prepares for the launch of N-BIDEA – the Nigeria–Benin Business Integration, Development and Economic Advancement Programme, the Chamber will continue its stakeholder consultations to ensure that the programme responds to the practical realities of businesses operating along the corridor.

The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to championing evidence-based advocacy on challenges affecting cross-border trade and working collaboratively with the Federal Government, NCS, NIS and other relevant stakeholders to improve the ease of doing business, strengthen compliance, facilitate legitimate trade and enhance the overall efficiency of the Nigeria–Benin trade corridor.

Nigeria–Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NB-CCI)