Customs, Fire Service, Unilever Forge New Partnerships to Boost Security, Trade

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Fire Service (FFS) and Unilever Nigeria PLC have entered separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening cooperation on security, trade facilitation, fire safety and consumer protection.

The agreements were signed on 27 August 2026 at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja. They are expected to improve coordination between government agencies and strengthen collaboration between Customs and the private sector in support of Nigeria’s economic development.

Speaking during the engagement with the FFS, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the agreement represented a strategic move to reinforce cooperation between the two agencies.

According to him, the partnership would promote improved fire safety standards at Customs facilities, faster responses to emergencies, joint training and capacity development, as well as better information exchange on emergency preparedness.

“I am very confident that this MoU will translate to practical actions that save lives, protect government assets, and enhance our collective capacity to respond to emergencies,” Adeniyi said.

The Controller-General of the FFS, Olumode Adeyemi, described the agreement as the first strong MoU between the Fire Service and a sister agency. He assured that the FFS would deploy its resources and expertise to protect Customs personnel and property.

The Customs chief also signed a separate agreement with Unilever Nigeria PLC as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with the private sector.

Adeniyi said the partnership would support efforts against counterfeit products and illicit trade. He noted that it would also improve intelligence sharing and assist Customs in identifying and verifying suspected counterfeit goods.

He explained that the agreement would establish a formal avenue for the exchange of timely information on trademarks, product identification features, packaging and product samples.

The CGC said interactions with businesses could also provide valuable information for policy and operational decisions within the Service.

“Some of the takeaways we get from these engagements with the private sector influence the policies and decisions that we take,” he stated.

Adeniyi praised Unilever for its continued investment, innovation and contribution to employment in Nigeria. He described the company as an important player in the nation’s trade and industrial sector.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria PLC, Tobi Adeniyi, recalled the company’s long history in Nigeria, dating back to 1923.

He disclosed that over 70 per cent of Unilever’s raw materials were now sourced locally and that the company supports approximately 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Tobi also commended the NCS for reforms within the Service, with particular emphasis on digitalisation, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other measures designed to facilitate legitimate trade.

He said earlier interactions between Unilever and Customs had yielded tangible outcomes. One example, he noted, was the application of lessons from training attended by more than 70 Customs officers.

Tobi reaffirmed the company’s readiness to work with the NCS to tackle counterfeiting and illicit trade. He also expressed the company’s willingness to expand the partnership through further engagements across Nigeria.