The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the government of Niger have agreed to forge a strategic partnership to end regional insurgency, boost economic ties, safeguard transit cargo, and enhance cross-border security.

Comptroller General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, said the partnership seeks to strengthen regional trade facilitation, safeguard transit cargo, and enhance cross-border security cooperation.

He stated this at a high-level bilateral meeting between the NCS and the Niger Republic Customs Administration, led by its Director General, Muhammadu Yaqouba, in Abuja.

The customs boss noted that the bilateral engagement is aimed at improving cooperation on the movement of transit goods destined for Niger through Nigeria, enhancing information sharing, and addressing security challenges along shared borders.

These, according to him, would reduce delays along key transit corridors and ensure that legitimate trade contributes optimally to the economic growth of both countries.

He said: “Cooperation between the two customs services is shaped not only by shared borders but also by international obligations, particularly Nigeria’s responsibilities under Articles 124 to 132 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantee landlocked countries access to the sea.”

Also, stakeholders have said that the passage of trucks conveying transit goods to the Niger Republic through the Benin Republic and Kebbi State would increase cargo throughput at Nigeria’s ports, create jobs for freight forwarders, and increase government revenue.

They also said the most populous black nation would begin to benefit from transit fees, shipping charges, terminal handling charges and other port-related revenues.