The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Area Command, in collaboration with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), convened a one-day sensitization workshop on Trade Facilitation and Compliance on 11 October 2025, at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Trade Compliance and Adherence to Legal Regulations: The Critical Role of Law Enforcement Agencies and the Chamber of Commerce in Trade Facilitation and Enforcing Legal Tax Regulations,” brought together key stakeholders from security and regulatory agencies, importers, exporters, and the business community in the state.
According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe, and made available to newsmen on Monday 13 October, 2025, the engagement aimed to foster collaboration and ensure seamless trade practices rooted in integrity and adherence to existing regulations.
The Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘B’, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Nsikan Umoh, who attended the event, stated that the theme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda geared towards sustainable economic prosperity.
ACG Umoh highlighted the Service’s deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics for cargo assessment in the B’Odogwu system, and introduction of various trade facilitation tools, such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Advance Ruling, and Time Release Study (TRS), aimed at enhancing transparency and expediting clearance processes for importers and exporters.
The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Sa’ad Hannafi, emphasized the importance of synergy between law enforcement agencies and business stakeholders in enhancing trade compliance.
He said, “Kano, the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria, thrives on trade. However, the full potential of this vibrant commerce can only be unlocked in an ecosystem built on integrity, the rule of law, and adherence to regulations.”
The President of KACCIMA, Ambassador Usman Darma, expressed the chamber’s readiness to collaborate with enforcement agencies to educate members of the business community and ensure compliance with trade regulations.
The Customs Area Controller, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the engagement was inspired by the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs to bridge gaps and address misconceptions about Customs operations.
He emphasized that partnership and dialogue are critical to improving compliance and stakeholder trust.
In a goodwill message, the Kano State Commissioner of Commerce, Honourable Shehu Sagagi, commended NCS for the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward improving business compliance and boosting tax revenue.
“The Kano State Government is ready to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure more traders comply with tax and regulatory obligations.” He said.
