By Cynthia Alo
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, has sought integration into the Nigeria Customs Services’ B’Odogwu digital platform as part of efforts to strengthen trade facilitation, improve border management and curb the use of fake phytosanitary certificates.

Comptroller-General of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, said this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement on NAQS X handle, Isegbe said integrating the Service into the B’Odogwu platform would promote seamless trade facilitation, deepen inter-agency collaboration and enhance the detection of individuals using fraudulent phytosanitary certificates for export and import transactions.

He said the platform would also improve information sharing between both agencies and support the investigation and prosecution of offenders.

Isegbe also congratulated Adeniyi on the extension of his tenure by President Bola Tinubu, describing him as an exceptional administrator whose reforms have transformed the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said the Customs boss had introduced significant reforms in trade facilitation, digital transformation and customs modernisation, which have improved the ease of doing business and strengthened Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

The NAQS Comptroller-General further commended the longstanding partnership between both agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the nation’s economy.
In his response, the Customs boss, described Isegbe as an accomplished professional and praised the transformation of NAQS under his leadership.

He said the agency has become a critical institution in protecting Nigeria’s agricultural resources, safeguarding plant and animal health and supporting safe international trade.

Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in staff training, capacity building, intelligence and information sharing, technological innovation and coordinated border management to enhance national security and facilitate trade.