The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Kebbi State Government to operationalise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approved transit corridor for goods bound for the Niger Republic through the Benin Republic.
The initiative is designed to ease the movement of transit cargo, eliminate longstanding bottlenecks, and strengthen regional trade and security cooperation.
Speaking on Saturday while receiving the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi, during a courtesy visit in Birnin Kebbi, Governor Nasir Idris reaffirmed the state’s readiness to collaborate fully with the Federal Government to ensure the smooth take-off and effective management of the corridor.
“We are not surprised, because when Mr President says something, he means it and follows through,” Governor Idris said.
He assured that Kebbi State would provide the necessary infrastructure and social amenities to support the project, including maintaining motorable roads and facilitating logistics along designated transit routes.
The Governor commended the leadership style of Comptroller-General Adewale-Adeniyi and expressed appreciation to the Benin Republic delegation for their cooperation, describing the initiative as a reflection of growing regional solidarity.
Earlier, the Comptroller-General explained that the corridor would guarantee a 48-hour cargo clearance window for goods transiting through Nigeria to neighbouring countries.
He noted that cutting-edge technology would be deployed to prevent diversion of goods and enhance monitoring across the supply chain.
“President Tinubu has given us the mandate to allow trucks to transit to the Niger Republic through Benin Republic and Kebbi State.
“We are deploying modern technology to ensure that goods meant for specific destinations are not diverted,” Adeniyi said.
He warned that economic operators who violate transit regulations would face stiff sanctions, stressing that non-compliance could create non-tariff barriers, erode trust among neighbouring countries, and undermine regional trade integration.
The Customs boss, who received a rousing welcome from Governor Idris and two former governors despite only 24 hours’ notice of his visit, lauded Kebbi State’s spirit of brotherhood and its strategic importance in Nigeria’s security architecture.
“When we speak of Kebbi, we reference the historic Gwandu Emirate whose influence extends across Nigeria and into neighbouring Benin and Niger Republics.
“There is a saying that when Kebbi coughs, the entire country sneezes,” he said.
Adewale-Adeniyi said the bilateral engagement was aimed at strengthening cooperation in the movement of transit goods, enhancing intelligence and information sharing, addressing border security challenges, and ensuring that legitimate trade contributes optimally to economic growth.
He disclosed that cargoes from Apapa Ports and Nigerian airports destined for neighbouring countries would be processed and moved within 48 hours, without compromising national security or economic interests.
The Comptroller-General also highlighted the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks, noting that security threats are often coordinated by actors involved in narcotics trafficking, smuggling operations, and illegal arms trade.
“For us to stay ahead of them, we must be even more coordinated.
“Kebbi State has one of the most effective inter-agency coordination networks, with the state government providing logistical support to all security agencies,” he said.
Under the new framework, trucks using the corridor will pay a token fee for infrastructure maintenance in designated transit areas, particularly along the Tsamiya Corridor in Bagudu Local Government Area.
The Nigeria Customs Service, he added, would streamline documentation processes and eliminate bottlenecks along key trade routes, including the Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic corridor, as well as major links connecting Apapa Ports and airports to neighbouring countries.
The partnership is expected to boost regional trade, improve border management, and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership role in facilitating safe and efficient cross-border commerce in West Africa.
