The President of the Nigeria–Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NB-CCI), Alhaji Fatai Adegboyega Shokunbi, has led a high-level delegation of the Chamber on a strategic visit to the office of the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, to strengthen collaboration on trade facilitation, business formalisation and cross-border economic integration.

The delegation included the Director-General of NB-CCI, Mr. Emmanuel E. Essien; Amb. Nicky F. Maxwell, Deputy President – Business Development & Partnership; Barrister Bisiriyu Fanu Lasisi, a Prestige Member of the Chamber and former Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Seme; Elie Isola. TCHABY Country Representative - NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneur to Benin Republic; as well as representatives of Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders (SSCBTs) whose businesses have recently been formalised from the informal sector facilitated by the NB-CCI.

The visit formed part of the Chamber's ongoing engagement with key border-management institutions and stakeholders in furtherance of its Nigeria–Benin Business Integration, Development and Economic Advancement Programme (N-BIDEA).

NB-CCI Presents N-BIDEA to Customs

During the engagement, the NB-CCI delegation made a detailed presentation on the objectives and expected economic benefits of N-BIDEA to both Nigeria and Benin.

The presentation highlighted the Chamber's ambition to facilitate the formalisation of 1,000 businesses over five years, particularly businesses operating within the informal cross-border trade sector.

The programme is designed to support the transition of informal businesses into the formal economy by connecting traders to appropriate business registration, financial, trade, logistics and institutional support systems.

The Chamber explained that increased formalisation would contribute to a more structured trading environment, improve access to finance and business opportunities, enhance transparency and strengthen the capacity of small businesses to participate in legitimate regional trade.

The engagement also examined how N-BIDEA could complement the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service by supporting better documentation, improved trader identification, greater compliance and more predictable cross-border trade processes.

Customs Endorses N-BIDEA

A major outcome of the visit was the formal endorsement of the N-BIDEA programme by the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila expressed the Command's commitment to supporting the success of the initiative and indicated its readiness to collaborate with the NB-CCI in areas that would facilitate legitimate trade and improve the overall efficiency of cross-border commercial activities.

The Command's support represents an important step towards strengthening collaboration between the Chamber and Customs in creating a more transparent, efficient and business-friendly environment for traders operating along the Nigeria–Benin corridor.

The Chamber welcomed the commitment as an important institutional partnership capable of supporting the objectives of N-BIDEA and contributing to the broader goals of regional economic integration.

Recognition of NB-CCI President's Contribution to Badagry

During the meeting, Comptroller Kaila also acknowledged the contributions of the NB-CCI President, Alhaji Fatai Adegboyega Shokunbi, to the development of Badagry and the wider business community.

The Comptroller commended his integrity, commitment and longstanding contributions to economic development, particularly his role as a major employer of labour and his contribution to the economic and infrastructural development of Badagry.

He described the NB-CCI President as a role model whose investments and commitment to the community demonstrate the important role that private-sector leadership can play in local economic development.

The commendation further underscored the importance of collaboration between business leaders, community stakeholders and government agencies in creating sustainable economic opportunities.

Support for the Badagry Industrial Park

The Comptroller also expressed the Seme Area Command's support for the proposed Badagry International Business Park - a 700 acre Industrial Estate, by Prince Adetokunbo Kayode and Alhaji Fatai Shokunbi, noting the potential impact of the project on trade, investment, employment and economic development within Badagry and the wider Nigeria–Benin corridor.

The project is expected to contribute to the development of a stronger commercial and industrial ecosystem around the corridor, while creating opportunities for businesses involved in manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, distribution and regional trade.

The NB-CCI appreciated the Command's positive disposition towards the project and its recognition of the potential role of the industrial park in expanding legitimate trade and economic activity within the border community.

Strengthening the Nigeria–Benin Trade Corridor

The visit reinforces the NB-CCI's commitment to building practical partnerships with government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to improve the business environment along the Nigeria–Benin corridor.

The Chamber believes that the formalisation of small-scale cross-border traders, improved institutional cooperation, effective documentation and stronger engagement between traders and border agencies are essential to building a more efficient and sustainable regional trading environment.

The successful engagement with the Seme Area Command represents another important milestone in the implementation of N-BIDEA and demonstrates the value of collaboration between the private sector and border-management institutions.

The NB-CCI looks forward to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, and other relevant stakeholders to translate the commitments made during the engagement into practical initiatives that will benefit traders, businesses, border communities and the economies of both Nigeria and Benin.

The Chamber remains committed to its vision of a more integrated, formalised, transparent and prosperous Nigeria–Benin business corridor.