LagosExplorer reports that the Nigeria Customs Service, in a landmark collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has launched the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment in Lagos.
The centre, named in honour of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is designed to serve as an elite training ground for senior customs officers, positioning them for excellence in global trade and security operations.
The new facility will operate as a high-level finishing school, offering executive programs tailored to World Customs Organization standards. These intensive courses will cover critical areas such as trade facilitation, border security, international trade laws, customs valuation, classification, and modern investment protocols. The ultimate goal is to ensure that Nigerian customs officers are not only well-trained but also globally competitive in managing cross-border trade challenges.
Comptroller-General Adeniyi emphasized that the centre comes at a pivotal time as Nigeria intensifies efforts to integrate more fully into the African Continental Free Trade Area and strengthen its global trade presence. He described the centre as more than a training facility—it is envisioned as a national think tank dedicated to shaping intelligent trade policies and boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic environment.
Professor Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General of the NIIA, noted that the centre is a long-term investment in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem. He expressed confidence that the partnership will equip customs personnel with the knowledge and tools required to meet 21st-century trade demands, reinforcing the country’s ports and borders as secure and efficient gateways for commerce.
The establishment of the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment signals a transformative shift in how the Nigeria Customs Service approaches capacity development. It also reaffirms Lagos as a critical hub for international trade education and strategic policy execution.