By Nkechi Eze
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to boost revenue generation, enhance national security, and safeguard public safety through tighter monitoring of imported communication devices.
Adeniyi made this commitment on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when he received the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, and his delegation on a courtesy visit at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, the Customs boss stressed that the Service was already looking beyond its traditional revenue drive to the security implications of unchecked importation of mobile devices and other technology-related equipment. He emphasised that closer synergy with the NCC would strengthen both agencies’ monitoring systems.
According to him, technology imports such as mobile phones, network boosters, and other telecommunications equipment must undergo proper certification and classification under Customs’ tariff regime. He explained that this would ensure that only authorised importers are permitted to bring them into the country.
Highlighting the importance of training and compliance, Adeniyi said the Service would collaborate with the NCC to train Customs officers on certification processes and align tariff codes with regulated devices to curb abuse at the borders. “Both for effective security and revenue, we will be committed to deepening collaboration,” he assured.
The CGC also drew attention to broader safety concerns, particularly in urban centres. He noted that the growing concentration of high-rise buildings in Abuja, alongside sensitive facilities such as places of worship and institutions, demands vigilance and knowledge-sharing between Customs and NCC to avert possible disasters.
Earlier in his remarks, the NCC boss congratulated Adeniyi on his recent election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, describing the achievement as global recognition of his leadership and vision both in Nigeria and abroad.
Maida underscored the importance of the NCC’s Device Management System (DMS), a platform designed to track imported phones and block substandard devices from entering the market. He explained that the initiative would not only support Customs in boosting revenue but also improve the quality of service delivered to telecom subscribers.
“One of the least understood factors affecting service quality is the device itself. If a subscriber is using a substandard phone, no matter the investment operators make in their networks, service quality will remain poor. That is why the DMS project is critical,” Maida stated.
He further raised concerns about the uncontrolled importation and use of network boosters. While acknowledging that boosters may sometimes provide individual benefits, he warned that they often distort signals and degrade overall network quality. He called for Customs’ collaboration in restricting uncertified boosters and ensuring only approved devices enter the Nigerian market.
Maida reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to sustaining the “spirit of collaboration” between the two agencies, stressing that their partnership was central to tackling the dual challenges of revenue leakages and consumer protection.
The meeting underscored a shared resolve by both agencies to tighten regulatory control, block the influx of substandard communication devices, and ensure Nigerians enjoy safe, reliable, and high-quality telecommunications services.
