Nigeria’s push for increased non-oil exports is facing internal resistance that has undermined trade in its regions, says the country’s border regulator.

Bashir Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) decried increased security risks and their implications while speaking on the Nigerian economy during a conference at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, over the weekend.

“Nigeria’s economic prosperity hinges delicately on our ability to strike an optimal balance between security imperatives and trade facilitation,” Adeniyi stated, while dissecting region-specific security challenges.

In the Northeast, he mentioned that insurgency continues to disrupt established trade corridors due to ongoing conflicts primarily driven by groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These groups conduct attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure, resulting in widespread displacement and uncertainty in transporting goods.

“In the Northeast, the insurgency continues to disrupt established trade corridors,” he said. The Customs boss however noted that collaborative initiatives such as the World Customs Organisation’s Project Securité par Collaboration (SPC++) have provided alternative trade mechanisms suited for conflict-affected areas.

In the Northwest, Adeniyi pointed to the impact of banditry and kidnapping on mining operations. Mining in Northwest Nigeria primarily involves gold, lead-zinc, limestone, and gemstones, primarily taking place in states like Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto.

Although these resources have the potential to boost Nigeria’s economy, challenges such as security threats from armed groups, illegal mining, and environmental degradation hinder growth. Adeniyi stressed the need for integrated regulatory and security strategies to maximize Nigeria’s mineral wealth.

He also highlighted that cattle rustling in Northern Nigeria has crippled the livestock value chain, adversely affecting related industries like meat processing and leather production.

In the Southeast, the situation is more political. The CGC cited disruptions caused by secessionist movements, particularly on manufacturing hubs in Aba, Onitsha, and Nnewi as key hindrances to exports..

In the Southwest, he described the smuggling of petroleum products, arms, and restricted goods as a significant threat, revealing that contraband valued at over N35 billion was intercepted in 2024 alone. In the first quarter of 2025, seizures reached over N7 billion in value.

“These regional security challenges present Nigeria with a choice: remain trapped in a cycle of reactive responses or transform our hard-earned expertise into strategic advantage within the AfCFTA framework,” Adeniyi said.

Any hesitation from exporters and importers due to security concerns reduces trade volumes and leave ports abandoned. As a strategy to address this, Adeniyi unveiled a three-tier roadmap for securing and optimising border trade.

Immediate interventions include the modernisation of key border posts such as Seme-Krake at the Benin border, Jibia-Maradi at Niger, and Mfum-Ekok at Cameroon. Medium-term plans involve the creation of secure trade corridors equipped with surveillance and rapid-response mechanisms, while long-term strategies focus on establishing Special Economic Zones around border communities.

He also addressed global trade disruptions, citing the recent 14 percent reciprocal tariff by the United States on Nigerian non-oil exports as a wake-up call for market diversification.

Adeniyi urged the business community to leverage the $3.4 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunity and embrace innovations such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which allows intra-African trade using local currencies.

“Through systematic application of these principles, Nigeria can establish itself as the secure gateway to West African markets, leveraging security investments to strengthen our economic position in regional and global trade,” Adeniyi said.