Susan Abayomi
Retired Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dera Nnadi, has urged Nigerian importers to shift from importing finished products to sourcing raw materials for local manufacturing and exporting goods to other African countries.
Nnadi made the call at the fifth annual lecture and awards ceremony of Primetime Reporters, held at Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos, where he warned that Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported finished goods could threaten the long-term prospects of importers, freight forwarders and clearing agents.
He said the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was reshaping trade across the continent, creating opportunities for businesses that invest in local production and regional exports.
According to Nnadi, goods produced in Africa that meet AfCFTA’s rules of origin and local-content requirements can qualify for preferential tariff treatment, giving African manufacturers a potential advantage over suppliers from outside the continent.
He therefore challenged importers and other players in the logistics chain to rethink their business strategies and prepare for changes in regional trade patterns.
Nnadi disclosed that he had engaged the Anambra State Government on the need to prepare traders for the emerging trade environment. He advocated a strategic transition over the next five years from trading in finished imported goods to manufacturing and exporting to African markets.
He maintained that Nigeria had the potential to become a major manufacturing and export hub, stressing the need to maximise the country’s waterways and trade infrastructure to facilitate regional commerce.
The retired customs chief also acknowledged federal government efforts to improve trade facilitation, including the ratification of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, the development of the Port Community System and the National Single Window initiative.
However, he noted that further improvements were needed to achieve the desired level of efficiency in the country’s trade processes.
Nnadi further urged maritime stakeholders to prioritise environmental sustainability and the transition to greener energy, noting the growing importance of emissions reduction in global maritime operations.
The event focused on smarter gateways and greener logistics through the Port Community System and National Single Window. Dr Charles Okorefe, Managing Director of Kamany Marine Services, delivered the keynote address.
Nnadi, who retired from the Nigeria Customs Service after 35 years and now consults for Port Protocols Nigeria Limited, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation.
He also commended Primetime Reporters for sustaining the annual lecture and recognising contributions to trade facilitation and customs administration.
