ZAINAB JUNAID
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has again called for increased collaboration among security agencies to combat smuggling and its negative impact on Nigeria’s economy.
While delivering a lecture to participants of Course 33, at the National Defence College in Abuja on Thursday, 23 January 2025, CGC Adeniyi re-emphasized the importance of synergy and mutual understanding among agencies in tackling illicit trade and ensuring economic security.
He stressed that no single agency can effectively tackle smuggling alone and that cooperation is essential for successful anti-smuggling operations.
To him, a collective approach is necessary to safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests and address security challenges.
His words, “No single agency can effectively combat the complexities of smuggling without the support and cooperation of others.
“Collaborating with other security agencies is essential for effective anti-smuggling operations. It is only through synergy that we can reduce these illegal activities to the barest minimum and foster economic growth in Nigeria.”
The lecture, held at the NDC Auditorium, provided a platform for the Comptroller-General to discuss strategies for addressing smuggling and its economic implications. The National Defence College, Nigeria’s premier institution for military and strategic studies, brings together participants from various sectors, including the armed forces, paramilitary organisations, and the civil service.
The CGC’s efforts demonstrated a commitment to fostering a collaborative approach to addressing security challenges and promoting trade facilitation.
His call for inter-agency collaboration to combat smuggling is not new. As the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), he has consistently emphasized the importance of synergy among security agencies to effectively address smuggling and its detrimental effects on Nigeria’s economy.
In fact, Adeniyi has been actively engaging with various stakeholders to promote collaboration and coordination.
The event was attended by senior officers, faculty members, and participants from across the country, who described the lecture as an insightful contribution to understanding the dynamics of security and economic protection.