$1NTRILLON ECONOMY: CGC ADENIYI PLEDGES CUSTOMS SUPPORT WITH B’ODOGWU, AEO, OTHERS

$1tn Economy : CGC Adeniyi Pledges Customs support with B’Odogwu, AEO, others

By Babatunde Aremu

The *Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR*, has pledged the full support of the *Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)* for the realisation of Nigeria’s ambition to build a *$1 trillion economy*, stressing the need for institutions to translate national aspirations into concrete, measurable results.

CGC Adeniyi made the commitment while delivering a keynote address at the *New Nigeria Festival* held at the *Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Conference Hall, Abuja*.

According to the Customs boss, the $1 trillion economy target is achievable if plans and strategies developed to achieve it are properly implemented.

_“The ambition to build a $1 trillion economy is achievable, but institutions must move from aspirations to measurable actions,”_ Adeniyi said.

He disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service has moved beyond ideas and discussions to taking practical steps in support of the national economic ambition.

The CGC cited the Service’s ongoing *Modernisation Reforms* as practical enablers of economic growth and trade competitiveness.

These, he said, include the deployment of *B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System)*, the *Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme* and the *Advance Ruling mechanism* — all designed to facilitate legitimate trade, improve predictability, reduce cargo clearance time and enhance Nigeria’s ease of doing business.

Adeniyi noted that Customs reforms align with *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda* to reposition the economy, boost non-oil exports, attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the *African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)*.

He assured that the Service will continue to play its role as a catalyst for economic growth by ensuring efficient revenue collection, securing the borders against smuggling and facilitating legitimate trade without compromising national security.

The New Nigeria Festival brought together policymakers, business leaders, youth groups and stakeholders to discuss pathways to accelerating Nigeria’s economic transformation.