The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have resolved to deepen their partnership to curb the influx of uncertified communication devices, safeguard public safety, and boost government revenue.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made the commitment when he received the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, and his team at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi noted that Customs was moving beyond its traditional revenue role to address the security implications of unregulated mobile device importation. He stressed that collaboration with the NCC would strengthen monitoring systems and block unauthorized imports.
According to him, imports of mobile phones, network boosters, and other telecom equipment must undergo proper certification and classification under Customs’ tariff regime, ensuring that only licensed importers bring them into the country.
He added that Customs officers would be trained on certification processes while tariff codes would be aligned with regulated devices, a move he said was crucial for national security and revenue assurance.
Highlighting broader safety concerns, Adeniyi said cooperation was needed to secure urban facilities in densely populated areas, citing the risks associated with high-rise buildings, places of worship, and sensitive public institutions.
In his remarks, Maida congratulated Adeniyi on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, describing it as a global endorsement of his leadership.
The NCC boss underscored the importance of the Device Management System (DMS), designed to track imported phones and block substandard devices, saying it would not only boost Customs’ revenue collection but also enhance telecom service quality for Nigerians.
He warned against the unregulated use of network boosters, which he said often distort signals and compromise overall network quality. Maida urged Customs to restrict the importation of uncertified boosters and ensure that only approved devices are allowed into the Nigerian market.
Reaffirming the NCC’s readiness to sustain collaboration, Maida assured that the partnership would help both agencies tackle revenue leakages, enhance consumer protection, and strengthen public safety.
