The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged closer collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to strengthen revenue generation, bolster national security, and safeguard public safety through tighter monitoring of imported communication devices.
Adeniyi made the commitment on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when he received the NCC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, and his team on a courtesy visit to the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
He stressed that the Service was moving beyond its traditional revenue focus to address the security risks posed by unchecked importation of mobile phones, network boosters, and telecom equipment. He said only authorised importers should be allowed to bring in such devices after proper certification and classification under Customs’ tariff regime.
“To achieve both effective security and revenue generation, we will be committed to deepening collaboration with the NCC,” Adeniyi said, adding that officers would be trained on certification processes while tariff codes would be aligned with regulated devices to curb abuses at entry points.
On public safety, the Customs chief pointed to the rising number of high-rise buildings, places of worship, and sensitive institutions in Abuja, stressing the need for both agencies to share expertise in preventing disasters.
Earlier, Dr. Maida congratulated Adeniyi on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, describing it as a testament to his leadership at home and abroad.
He said the NCC’s Device Management System (DMS)—a platform designed to track imported phones and block substandard devices—would not only help boost Customs’ revenue but also improve service quality for telecom subscribers.
“One of the least understood factors affecting service quality is the device itself. If a subscriber is using a substandard phone, no matter the investment operators make in their networks, service quality will remain poor. That is why the DMS project is critical,” Maida noted.
He also raised concerns over the indiscriminate use of network boosters, warning that while they may serve individuals, they often distort signals and degrade overall service quality. He called for Customs’ support in restricting the importation of uncertified boosters.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cooperation to plug revenue leakages, protect consumers, and enhance national.
