The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expanded its inter-agency and private-sector partnerships through separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and Unilever Nigeria PLC, aimed at strengthening security, trade facilitation, safety and consumer protection.
The agreements were signed on August 27, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters, Abuja, during separate engagements with the two organisations.
According to the NCS, the partnerships are designed to enhance collaboration, protect lives and property, safeguard legitimate trade and consumers, and contribute to Nigeria’s broader economic growth.
During the engagement with the FFS, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the MoU as a deliberate and strategic step towards strengthening collaboration between the two agencies and advancing their shared responsibility of protecting lives, property and critical national assets.
Adeniyi said the agreement would improve fire safety standards across Customs facilities, facilitate rapid emergency response, support joint training and capacity development, and enhance information sharing on fire safety and emergency preparedness.
“I am very confident that this MoU will translate to practical actions that save lives, protect government assets, and enhance our collective capacity to respond to emergencies,” the CGC said.
The Controller-General of the FFS, Olumode Adeyemi, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the relationship between the Fire Service and a sister agency, assuring that the FFS would deploy its expertise and capabilities to protect Customs personnel and assets.
In a separate engagement with Unilever Nigeria PLC, Adeniyi said the partnership reflected the NCS’s commitment to deeper collaboration with the private sector in addressing challenges affecting trade and industrial development.
He said the MoU would strengthen cooperation in combating counterfeiting, intelligence sharing, and the identification and verification of suspected counterfeit products.
The CGC explained that the agreement would provide a structured channel for real-time information sharing on trademarks, product identification features, packaging and product samples, thereby strengthening Customs’ capacity to identify and intercept illicit and counterfeit goods.
He noted that engagements with private-sector stakeholders continued to provide valuable industry insights that could influence Customs policies and operational decisions.
“Some of the takeaways we get from these engagements with the private sector influence the policies and decisions that we take,” Adeniyi said.
He also commended Unilever for its sustained investment, innovation and employment generation in Nigeria, describing the company as an important partner in the country’s trade and industrial sector.
The Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria PLC, Tobi Adeniyi, said the company’s presence in Nigeria dates back to 1923, adding that more than 70 per cent of its raw materials had been localised.
He disclosed that the company supports about 15,000 direct and indirect jobs, while commending the NCS for its ongoing transformation, particularly its digitalisation initiatives, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other trade facilitation measures.
Tobi said previous engagements between Unilever and the Customs Service had produced practical results, including the application of lessons from training involving more than 70 Customs officers.
He reaffirmed Unilever’s commitment to collaborating with the NCS to combat counterfeiting and illicit trade, while expressing readiness to broaden the partnership through further engagements across the country.
The agreements underscore the NCS’s growing emphasis on strategic partnerships with government agencies and private-sector stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate legitimate trade, protect consumers and support Nigeria’s economic development.
