Efforts to curb illicit tobacco trade and strengthen Nigeria’s business environment received a boost on Thursday as the Nigeria Customs Service and British American Tobacco Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening collaboration in the fight against smuggling, enhancing regulatory compliance and protecting legitimate investments.
A statement from the partners explained that the agreement, signed at the headquarters of the NCS in Abuja, marks a milestone in the relationship between both organisations and underscores a shared commitment to safeguarding lawful trade while tackling the growing threat posed by illicit tobacco products.
Speaking during the MOU signing ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the agreement as a strategic framework that will strengthen cooperation between the service and BATN in addressing illegal cross-border trade and ensuring greater compliance across the tobacco value chain.
“We feel delighted that we have been able to sign this instrument, which will provide an effective framework to deepen collaboration between our two organisations.
I would like to assure you that we will remain committed to both the spirit and the letter of this MOU and ensure that we wipe out illegal cross-border movements of products within the Nigerian territory,” Adeniyi said.
Adeniyi noted that beyond addressing illicit trade, the collaboration sends a strong message to both local and international investors about Nigeria’s commitment to protecting legitimate businesses and creating an enabling environment for investment.
According to him, illicit trade remains a major challenge globally, undermining government revenues, distorting markets, weakening regulatory frameworks and creating unfair competition for compliant businesses.
The CGC explained that in Nigeria, the fight against smuggling has become increasingly important as the government seeks to strengthen domestic revenue generation, improve border security and promote sustainable economic growth.
Earlier, the Managing Director of BAT Nigeria, Yarub Al-Bahrani, described the agreement as a landmark development that reflects the strength of the relationship between BATN and the NCS and reinforces a shared commitment to responsible business practices.
“This relationship represents an important step in strengthening collaboration between BAT Nigeria and the NCS in addressing illicit trade. We believe that effective public-private sector cooperation is critical to protecting legitimate commerce, supporting regulatory compliance, and fostering a business environment where responsible businesses can thrive,” he said.
Al-Bahrani said the partnership would foster a more coordinated approach to combating illicit trade within and beyond Nigeria’s borders, support stronger enforcement, protect legitimate commerce and reinforce Nigeria’s compliance with both its domestic laws and relevant international obligations.
The Memorandum of Understanding is expected to facilitate greater information sharing, intelligence collaboration, capacity building and coordinated enforcement efforts aimed at identifying and disrupting illicit trade networks operating within and across Nigeria’s borders.