In a deliberate move to boost trade facilitation and strengthen border governance, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Government have announced the reopening of the Tsamiya Border, while engaging stakeholders, the Kebbi State Government, the Gwandu Emirate and other critical economic players
By Edu Abade
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again reaffirmed its commitment to secure border governance and facilitate transit trade, following the Federal Government’s approval to reopen the Tsamiya Border Corridor.
National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, a Deputy Controller of Customs, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen after a high-level stakeholders’ engagement on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Government House, Kebbi State.
The engagement, which brought together security agencies, traditional rulers, economic operators and representatives of international customs, provided a strategic platform to examine practical measures to strengthen Nigeria’s North-West border architecture while ensuring that legitimate trade flows seamlessly under strict compliance protocols.
The reopening of the corridor underscores the Service’s ongoing drive to balance national security priorities with trade facilitation objectives, particularly along critical land routes and the River Niger corridor that connects Nigeria with neighbouring countries.
Speaking during the engagement, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the importance of structured inter-agency and cross-border collaboration in addressing evolving transit trade and security challenges.
“Criminal elements operate through cooperation, shared resources and organized networks. This makes it imperative for security agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to effectively counter such threats,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the Service is actively engaging customs authorities from the Niger Republic and the Republic of Benin, supported by the political will of President Bola Tinubu and President Patrice Talon, to resolve longstanding transit trade issues through coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation.
“Diversion of goods in transit is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is a cross-border challenge that requires coordinated enforcement, clear guidelines and strict compliance to ensure that goods reach their intended destinations,” he added.
Adeniyi, who explained that the Tsamiya Corridor will operate under enhanced monitoring driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) interconnectivity systems, strengthened profiling of licensed customs agents and close surveillance of goods in transit, however, cautioned that any truck found outside the approved route will be seized and the offenders prosecuted in line with transit regulations, citing recent prosecutions as evidence of the NCS’s firm enforcement approach.
He commended the Kebbi State Government for fostering a coordinated security environment. He acknowledged the contributions of retired senior customs officers from the state to the development of the Service and national security.
Speaking, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, highlighted the state’s commitment to supporting Customs and other security agencies by providing logistics, infrastructure, and community engagement in border areas.
“The Kebbi State Government remains committed to prioritizing security and creating an enabling environment for security agencies to operate effectively, while ensuring that border communities benefit from sustained development,” Idris said.
The stakeholders’ engagement attracted the immediate past Governor of Kebbi State and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, former Governor Usman Dakingari, customs officials from the Republic of Benin, representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), heads of security agencies, traditional rulers and key economic operators, who expressed confidence that the renewed collaboration will enhance border security, strengthen regional trade and position Kebbi State as a strategic hub for genuine economic activities
In a related development, Adeniyi has assured onion farmers and export-focused stakeholders of the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to removing non-tariff barriers, addressing operational bottlenecks and working with relevant agencies to create an enabling environment for export trade.
CGC Adeniyi gave the assurance on Monday, 9 February 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/AOC), led by its President, Aliyu Maitasamu, to the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
“So let me assure onion farmers and other export-oriented stakeholders that the NCS will stand solidly behind you. We will remove all known non-tariff barriers and work with other government agencies and stakeholders to create a more facilitating environment for your trade,” the Comptroller-General said.
He explained that the engagement was timely, noting that over the past six months, the Service had faced sustained pressure from economic operators in Benin and the Niger Republic over the use of Nigeria’s transit corridors, particularly routes through northeastern Nigeria and the Kamba axis.
According to him, while discussions on transit corridors often focus on imports, the engagement with onion exporters presents an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s export narrative and unlock broader economic benefits.
“What you are doing will help us balance the story. We will not only be talking about imports and transit, but also about exports. Exports bring economic prosperity, create employment, support a favourable balance of trade and ultimately contribute to GDP growth,” CGC Adeniyi stated.
He added that, beyond urging compliance, regulatory agencies also have a responsibility to address legitimate stakeholder concerns. He disclosed that, following earlier representations by the association, he directed the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation to establish a structured engagement framework.
On his part, ORO/AOC President Maitasamu commended the NCS for what he described as a prompt and decisive intervention following recent disruptions along the corridor.
“With recent developments and the reopening now in effect, we are here to appreciate the NCS for its prompt action,” he said, while calling for sustained engagement to ensure smooth and lasting operations, in line with earlier assurances given by the Comptroller-General in Kebbi State.
Maitasamu acknowledged the complexity of regulating cross-border trade and affirmed the association’s readiness to work closely with Customs, proposing improved coordination mechanisms for onion transit. He noted that ORO/AOC possesses the infrastructure, expertise and regional presence to support Customs operations, including documentation and compliance management across the corridor.
Highlighting the sector’s economic significance, he disclosed that Nigeria is Africa’s second-largest onion producer after Egypt, with an annual output of about 2.1 million metric tonnes. He added that data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation values Nigeria’s onion production at approximately ₦1.17 trillion, with the Niger Republic and other countries such as Algeria, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Cameroon playing complementary roles in the regional onion value chain.
He emphasised that Nigeria and the Niger Republic currently remain the two most significant players in onion production and exchange within the ECOWAS and Sahel regions.
Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, described the engagement as aligned with government efforts to balance economic growth and security considerations.
He explained that the proposed token system discussed at the meeting has two core elements-data and infrastructure.
“One component is the data, which your association already has. The other is infrastructure. Trucks moving across these corridors put pressure on our roads, and the token system will allow the government to recover some of those costs over time for road maintenance,” DCG Bomodi concluded.
Meanwhile, Adeniyi also visited the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts by the NCS to deepen collaboration with traditional institutions in strengthening border security, community engagement, and national development.
The visit, held at the Emir’s palace in Kebbi State, underscored the Service’s recognition of the critical role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, promoting lawful trade and supporting security agencies in border communities. The CGC was accompanied by senior officers of the Service, including retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo and retired Assistant Comptroller-General Samba Dangaladima, both of who currently serve under the Gwandu Emirate.
Speaking during the engagement, Adeniyi described the visit as strategic to Customs’ stakeholder partnership framework, noting that sustainable border management requires cooperation beyond enforcement institutions. He maintained that traditional authorities remain indispensable allies in sensitizing border residents, discouraging smuggling, and fostering trust between security agencies and local communities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to sustain dialogue and collaboration with the Kebbi Emirate Council and border communities in curbing smuggling and other cross-border crimes that undermine national security and economic stability.
Responding, the Emir of Gwandu commended the CGC and his entourage for the visit and pledged the continued support of the Emirate Council to the NCS and other security agencies operating within the state. The monarch urged residents of border communities to cooperate with authorities by providing timely information to help tackle smuggling and related criminal activities.
As part of his official engagements in the state, the Comptroller-General visited the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, where he inspected ongoing ultra-modern projects aimed at improving operational capacity and personnel welfare. He commissioned the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi E-Learning Centre and a newly constructed five-aside football pitch named after retired DCG Bello Mohammed Jibo.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, CGC Adeniyi charged them to remain disciplined, professional, and committed to their responsibilities, describing Kebbi as a strategically significant border Command for both revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations. He stressed the need to ensure that goods move strictly through approved corridors and warned against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo.
The CGC noted that Kebbi State remains a critical route used by smugglers and economic saboteurs, particularly for the illegal export of petroleum products, which informed the deployment of special operations in the area. He disclosed that he had conveyed the president’s approval for reopening the Tsamiya border and reminded officers that the development carries increased responsibility to prevent the diversion of transit goods.
He further emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation and cross-border collaboration in addressing smuggling, banditry, terrorism, and other forms of organized crime, while assuring personnel of improved welfare and the continued deployment of technology to enhance operational efficiency.
The visit ended on a symbolic note as Adeniyi joined officers and senior Customs officials in a friendly football match at the newly commissioned five-aside pitch, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie and morale within the Command.
