The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled a comprehensive handbook designed to streamline import and export procedures for renewable energy equipment, strengthening its collaboration with the European Union (EU), the German government, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

At a high-level event held on Monday, July 29, 2025, in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the publication as a “living document” that addresses classification and clearance challenges often faced in the clean energy sector.

“With Nigeria’s increasing investment in renewable energy infrastructure, Customs has a responsibility to ensure that legitimate trade in this sector is facilitated efficiently and securely,” Adeniyi said.

The handbook outlines detailed procedures on tariffs, exemptions, valuation, and documentation for solar panels, batteries, inverters, wind turbines, and other energy-saving components. It also aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which aims for net-zero emissions by 2060 while increasing energy access for underserved communities.

“This is more than a Customs document; it’s a strategic tool for economic transformation,” Adeniyi added. “It will be updated regularly in line with technological advancements, global practices, and Nigeria’s policy direction.”

He commended the EU, German Embassy, and GIZ for their technical and financial support, calling the partnership a “model of institutional synergy that benefits both trade and the environment.”

International Partners Laud Customs’ Green Reforms

Representatives from the EU and German government welcomed the initiative, hailing it as a key driver for sustainable development and gender inclusivity in public institutions.

“We are especially encouraged by the rising involvement of women in the Nigeria Customs Service, a sign of inclusiveness that strengthens institutional resilience,” said Inga Stefanowicz, Head of the Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria.

Karin Jansen, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to deepening green energy ties with Nigeria through policy and trade facilitation.

Marcus Wagner, Country Director of GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, praised the Customs boss for his visionary leadership and congratulated him on his recent election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.

“That appointment is not only a personal achievement but a global recognition of Nigeria’s growing leadership in Customs modernisation and reform,” Wagner noted.

Handbook to Accelerate Green Trade Across Borders

The renewable energy handbook is expected to serve as a critical resource for Customs officers, renewable energy firms, freight forwarders, and regulators. It demystifies the clearance process and facilitates transparent, efficient cross-border movement of clean energy goods.

The initiative supports global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning Nigeria as a green trade hub in West Africa.

As the country pivots towards a cleaner, more inclusive economy, this document represents a significant leap toward reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and advancing sustainable logistics.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose tenure was initially set to end on August 31, 2025.

The presidency said the extension would allow the Customs chief to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete key policy initiatives that are crucial to the Tinubu administration’s economic transformation agenda.

“The extension, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will enable Mr. Adeniyi to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete critical initiatives of this administration, including: • The modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service; • The implementation of the National Single Window Project; and • The execution of Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol,” the statement read.

The announcement was made via an official statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

President Tinubu praised Adeniyi for his “steadfast leadership and commitment to service,” adding that his extended stewardship would help the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) enhance its core mandates of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.

“The President is confident that this extension will further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service in achieving its strategic mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security,” Onanuga noted.

Who is Bashir Adewale Adeniyi?

Mr. Adeniyi, who was appointed Comptroller-General in 2023, is widely acknowledged for leading various structural and digital reforms at Customs, including the deployment of AI-based cargo processing systems and anti-smuggling operations across Nigerian borders. The extension is seen as a vote of confidence in his transformative leadership.

Reform Projects Underway

The National Single Window Project, a top agenda item in Nigeria’s customs digitalisation drive, aims to integrate all trade-related processes on a unified digital platform to cut red tape and boost ease of doing business.

Meanwhile, the AfCFTA implementation remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s regional trade commitment, with Customs playing a central role in ensuring tariff alignment, cross-border digital tracking, and trade harmonisation.

A respected industry leader has issued a scathing indictment of Nigeria’s maritime system, warning that international and local shipping companies are operating like “lawless entities” unchecked by regulation and allegedly engaging in widespread fraud and extortion.

High Chief Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa, President of the National Compliance Joint Tasks Force of Licenced Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA), delivered the explosive remarks during a media briefing in Lagos, calling out companies such as Maersk Line, PIL, MSC, and Elder Dempster for deliberately sabotaging Nigeria’s clearing process to exploit customers and make illicit profits.

“It’s a big shame that in a country like Nigeria, there is no government policy regulating the activities of shipping lines,” Dr. Nwolisa declared.

“They do what they like. They charge what they like. They frustrate Nigerian businessmen and agents with no accountability. Is Nigeria a banana republic?”

Policy Vacuum, No Accountability

Dr. Nwolisa pointed to a lack of enforceable maritime policies as the foundation of the crisis. According to him, shipping companies impose arbitrary charges, delay payment and cargo releases, and demand sensitive documents, all without fear of consequences.

“Shipping lines in Nigeria have no policy documents that bind them. Ask any government agency to show you a published regulation — they have none. Meanwhile, these companies dictate the terms, impose financial penalties at will, and go unpunished when they breach agreements. How can this continue?” Nwolisa questioned.

Identity Theft & Document Abuse

Among the most troubling revelations was the unauthorized demand for voter cards, international passports, and NIN slips before containers can be released, a practice Dr. Nwolisa says has no legal basis.

“Where else in the world do you see shipping lines demanding passports, voter cards, and NIN slips before releasing goods that have already been paid for? These are security breaches. This is lawlessness and must be stopped.”

He described it as a stalling tactic to trigger more storage and demurrage fees — to the financial detriment of Nigerian businesses.

Refund Fraud, Digital Blackouts, and Hidden Charges

The advocacy group also accused shipping lines of fraudulently withholding container deposit refunds, which often go unpaid for weeks or months.

“They are running business with our money. When you apply for a refund, it can take one or two months. Meanwhile, they’re using that deposit to run their own business.”

He highlighted that clearing agents, who often pay out of pocket on behalf of importers  are denied refunds unless they bribe staff.

“You pay from your own account, and when it’s time for a refund, they’ll say you didn’t pay it — that only the importer can collect. But if you give them ₦20,000 or ₦30,000, the refund is magically processed. So who is really collecting?”

The agents also cited systemic inefficiencies such as:

Digital blackout scams: Prolonged network outages used as an excuse to delay releases.

“They will tell you there is no network after payment. That network failure could last for five days — five days of demurrage multiplied by thousands of containers. That is billions of naira lost.”

Punctuation rejections: Shipping companies allegedly reject documents over minor typographical errors to stall processes.

“If you make one mistake — a comma or a period — they’ll reject the letter. You’ll have to resend and wait again. It’s intentional.”

Outrageous Deposits and Auction Rackets

The group shared alarming evidence of outrageous container deposits, such as a case where an importer was forced to pay ₦8 million for a single container  or risk having it auctioned off.

“It is a racket,” Nwolisa said.

“Once you can’t meet the outrageous deposit, they move to auction your container. We have seen it happen more than once.”

High Chief (Dr) Basil Chudi Nwolisa.

Legislative Reforms and Legal Steps

In a bold move, NCJTFLCA announced that petitions are being prepared for submission to the National Assembly and relevant regulators, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

“We will no longer tolerate these anomalies. If the shipping lines refuse to change, we have no option than to take legal action. This is not aggression — it is about getting justice.”

Dr. Nwolisa also questioned whether foreign shipping companies were being protected by Nigerian elites, who may have vested interests.

“Are we being suppressed by our own leaders?” he asked.

National Interest at Stake

With Nigeria facing a potential loss of port business to neighboring countries like Ghana and Togo, the NCJTFLCA warned that the crisis is not just about agents — it’s about the survival of the entire import-export ecosystem.

“If we don’t address this now, we’ll lose our ports to Togo, Ghana, and Benin. Investors are already relocating. It’s a national emergency.”

Final Warning: Protest May Loom

Unless the government acts swiftly, Dr. Nwolisa said the group may organize a national compliance protest in the coming quarter.

“We are law-abiding, but we cannot continue like this. This is our stand — and we are not backing down.”

Conclusion

As frustrations reach boiling point, NCJTFLCA’s message is unambiguous: Nigerian ports are in crisis. Unless concrete regulatory action is taken, shipping lines will continue to operate with impunity, further damaging investor confidence and threatening the future of Nigeria’s maritime economy.

“Nigeria is not a banana republic,” Nwolisa insisted.

“We want fair business. Not harassment, not extortion. Let shipping companies be audited and made to adhere to standard practices.”