Tinubu Hails Nigerian Firm’s AfCFTA Customs Project Deal

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the growing continental recognition of Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme following the selection of a Nigerian firm for a major AfCFTA project.

Tinubu also commended the choice of AfriTrade CMP Limited, a subsidiary of Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited, for the 20-year multi-billion-dollar AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Monday in Abuja.

The project will deploy digital and physical infrastructure to improve customs processes, cargo tracking, border management and trade-data exchange across participating African countries.

Another Bergmans subsidiary, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, is implementing Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme.

Tinubu said the development validated Nigeria’s capacity to develop homegrown solutions for the wider African market.

“What has been built and tested in Nigeria is now providing a model for the continent.”

“This is how African integration should work: Africans building African solutions for African opportunities.”

“Nigeria must not only participate in Africa’s single market. Nigerian institutions and businesses can help build the technology and infrastructure that will make that market work.”

The president said the Federal Government would continue to create opportunities for Nigerian businesses to compete locally, across Africa and globally under its Nigeria First policy.

“I commend Bergmans, AfriTrade CMP Limited, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Nigerian professionals whose work has earned this confidence,”  he said.

The president noted that the AfCFTA Secretary-General, Mr Wamkele Mene, visited the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja to observe the Nigerian programme in operation.

The visit was attended by members of the Senate Committee on Customs, led by Sen. Jibrin Isah, at the end of a two-day retreat on customs modernisation and reforms.

Mene described B’Odogwu, Nigeria’s indigenous Unified Customs Management System, as a model for Africa.

He disclosed that although non-African firms had offered similar services, AfCFTA opted for an African solution.

According to him, the decision underscores the importance of African excellence, innovation and self-reliance.

Isah said members of the Senate Committee had become ambassadors of the initiative after seeing the system in operation.

B’Odogwu, first piloted in October 2024, has become a key component of customs modernisation in Nigeria.

The system supports cargo tracking, data infrastructure, surveillance, risk management and non-intrusive inspection processes.

It is also being integrated with the National Single Window launched in March 2026 to provide a unified digital gateway for cross-border trade.

“The promise of AfCFTA will be realised when goods can move across African borders faster, at lower cost and with fewer barriers.”

“Nigeria is ready to contribute its experience, innovation and enterprise to that future,” Tinubu added.

In another development, the Revenue Monitoring Group of Nigeria (RMGN) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for what it described as a strategic transformation in trade facilitation, border security and technology.

*Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

The group gave the commendation on Monday in a statement signed by its president, Dr Ifeanyi Duruaku, and Secretary- General, Comrade Tor Lumun.

According to RMGN, the reforms implemented under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi have repositioned the Customs Service beyond its traditional revenue-collection mandate, making it a key driver of national development.

The group noted that NCS, under its present leadership, had successfully ditched age-long manual processes in favour of digital, intelligence-led operations.

“The CGC has redefined NCS processes through automation, transparency, and trust with compliant traders. This has fired up operational capacity and unleashed efficiency across the Service”.

The group specifically highlighted the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), and the B’Odogwu platform, which it said have cut human interference, reduced leakages, and sped up cargo clearance.

RMGN also lauded NCS for strengthening collaboration with the Army, Navy, DSS, EFCC and NFIU to combat smuggling, illicit financial flows, and wildlife trafficking.

On global recognition, the group congratulated Adeniyi on receiving commendation from President Bola Tinubu during the 147th/148th sessions of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council in Brussels on July 3, where he was unanimously re-elected as Chairperson.

Quoting the president, RMGN stated: Adeniyi’s unanimous re-election is not only a personal honour, but also a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global Customs administration.

“His leadership has been marked by bold initiatives that have improved revenue generation, strengthened border security, facilitated legitimate trade, and modernised Customs operations through homegrown innovations.”

“RMGN described the presidential endorsement as “a glowing testament” to the CGC’s achievements.”

Reviewing the last three years, the group said the reforms have delivered visible dividends.

It cited 2025 trade figures of ₦194.94 trillion, with exports growing by 219.5% to ₦136.65 trillion, attributing the growth to reform and efficiency, not duty hikes.

“In what amounts to a referendum on the current leadership, it is clear that under Dr Bashir Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service has been significantly transformed.”

“We now have a Service that is delivering on revenue, smarter trade facilitation, more effective anti-smuggling operations, and result-driven environmental protection,” RMGN said.