Renewed Hope: Customs Boss Backs Tinubu’s Trade Agenda At OAU UNIFEMGA Conference

The Nigeria Customs Service says it’s operations is in tandem with the renewed hope agenda of the Nigeria’s helmsman with core mandate to effect cross-border trade as a catalyst for development.

Alhaji Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller- General of Nigeria Customs Service stated this in a lecture delivered at the 2025 National Re-union Conference of Obafemi Awolowo University Muslims Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) at Odududwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, on Saturday, in Ile-Ife.

Adeniyi who was the guest speaker speaking on the topic: ‘Cross Border Trade and Security Implications on the Nigerian Economy : Taking Advantage of Global Trade Dynamics’.

He added that trade serves as fundamental catalyst, for Nigeria is largest economy in Africa.

The Comptroller-General maintained that the President Bola Tinubu advocated for home grown goods and services to reduce importation to boost Nigeria Gross Domestic Products(GDP)

In his welcome address, Engr. Mohammed Buari, the National President, UNiFEMGA said that as a nation, we are grappling with the reconfiguration of our economy via the removal of petrol and forex subsidy.

Buari added that there are indications that our economy is on the rebound, the gloom as a result of inflation continues to be the most talked about topic nationwide.

According to him, the topic for this year’s programme is very germaine, as trade policies must protect our local economy from excessive importation.

The President stated that trade policies empower our local business to export and ensure the provision of adequate security to the citizens in their homeland.

“Allah makes it clear that man is created to be dependent on one another and thus the need for local and international free trade.

“Nigerian must identify the benefits that can be obtained within the federating units as Unifemga is always in the fore front to discuss on national issues affecting the country and proffer ways” Buari analysed.

He added that as at last count, 1,134 students had received scholarships to the tune of 88 million with 118 students awarded scholarships for the year 2025 at the tune of 12.2 million naira.

The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Murtada Adeniji, MD/CEO, Starlink Global Ideal Limited, said that he was on the verge of moving his firm to Guinea Bissau because of Customs impediments on Agricultural import duties.

Adeniji explained that the moment Alhaji Adeniyi came on board, everything changed and soonest, our firms will commission landmark projects in the country.

Obafemi Awolowo University Governing Council chairman, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso posited that Custom Conmptro-General is making his alma mata, Muslims community, Yorubaland proud with the great reforms he brought to Nigeria Customs Service.

In his words at the event, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife said, the Customs Comptroller General is a man of his words who had stood with him since he came on board.

Bamire said, he is a good advertisement of the institution as he donated a state- of-the-art ambulance for the institution.

He equally appreciates Prof.Yusuf Ali, SAN for the leadership center being put in place for the institution and others who had contributed to the growth of the institutions from the Muslims community.