The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, DC Wale Moses Adewole, has intensified efforts to boost revenue generation and combat smuggling through strengthened collaboration with key stakeholders and traditional institutions.
Adewole, alongside members of the command’s management team, paid a courtesy visit to British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) on Thursday as part of initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation in revenue collection and facilitating legitimate trade.
During the visit, the delegation was received by the Director of Operations of BATN, Hasnain Ishtiaq, who welcomed the Customs team and expressed appreciation for the engagement.
Speaking during the meeting, Adewole commended the company for its significant contributions to national revenue through excise duties and its consistent compliance with regulations governing excise operations.
He described BATN as one of the key stakeholders supporting the Service’s mandate of promoting legitimate trade while enhancing government revenue.
The Acting Controller emphasised the need for sustained collaboration between the Customs Service and the company to ensure effective revenue collection in line with the statutory responsibilities of the Service.
In his response, Ishtiaq praised the Customs Service for its commitment to revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade and protection of Nigeria’s borders, noting that these responsibilities are critical to the country’s economic development.
He assured the Customs leadership of BATN’s continued cooperation and full compliance with all regulatory requirements to support national economic growth.
In a related development, Adewole also visited the palace of the Abimbola Akeem Owoade in Oyo, where he sought the support of the traditional institution in the fight against smuggling.
The Customs chief acknowledged the palace as a custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage and appealed to the monarch to help sensitise members of the community on the dangers of smuggling and its negative impact on the nation’s economy.
Responding, the Alaafin commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s economy through effective revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
The monarch also pledged the palace’s support in educating residents of Oyo and surrounding communities on the need to shun smuggling and embrace lawful economic activities that contribute to national development.
Adewole reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo/Osun Area Command to deepening partnerships with stakeholders, traditional institutions and the public in order to enhance revenue generation, promote legitimate trade and strengthen the nation’s economic prosperity.