The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service is renewing its partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to improve transparency, strengthen compliance, and support national development.

During a courtesy visit to the ICPC office in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between both agencies. Their discussions focused on intelligence sharing, enforcing compliance, and educating the public—three areas they believe are key to improving Nigeria’s trade environment.

Oshoba explained the core responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service, including revenue collection, trade facilitation, national security, and public safety. He said these goals align with the Comptroller-General’s policy direction of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation. According to him, no agency can fully achieve its mandate without strong partnerships.

“Nigeria is a national project, and we all have a role to play. Collaboration and synergy are the best ways forward,” Oshoba said. Drawing from his background in intelligence, he stressed that cooperation and good information sources make all the difference in achieving results.

He also spoke on the importance of compliance in trade processes. He noted that inaccurate or incomplete declarations slow down operations and hurt fair business practices. “The most disturbing issue for us is non-compliance. Our systems can’t work well without accurate declarations,” he added.

On his part, the ICPC Lagos Commissioner, Alexandra Chukwurah, welcomed the Customs team and praised the long-standing relationship between both organisations. He said the cooperation has always been built on shared values of accountability and integrity.

“The Nigeria Customs has maintained a strong relationship with us over the years…. If you ever have doubts on any anti-corruption matter, call us,” he said.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from both agencies to deepen their collaboration. They plan to work together on sensitisation programmes, joint seminars, and operational support aimed at improving transparency, strengthening revenue generation, and fighting corruption across Nigeria’s trade corridors.