International
Nigeria Strengthen Ties With Niger Customs To Tackle Border Insecurity
Nigeria Strengthen Ties With Niger Customs To Tackle Border Insecurity
Nigeria strengthen ties with Niger customs to tackle border insecurity. He said that operational challenges usually force landlocked nations to rely on neighbouring ports.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened bilateral ties with the Niger Republic Customs Administration to strengthen cross-border security cooperation against insurgency.
This followed a high-level bilateral meeting between the NCS, led by its Comptroller-General (C-G) Bashir Adeniyi, and the Niger Republic Customs Administration, led by director-general Muhammadu Yaqouba, on Friday at the NCS headquarters in Abuja.
The bilateral engagement aims to strengthen cooperation on the movement of transit goods bound for Niger through Nigeria and to improve information sharing between the two countries.
It also seeks to address security challenges along their shared borders, reduce delays along key transit corridors and ensure that legitimate trade contributes optimally to economic growth in both countries.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to strengthening cross-border security cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly the Republic of Niger, regional trade facilitation and safeguarding transit cargo.
He said that operational challenges usually force landlocked nations to rely on neighbouring ports, increasing costs and affecting competitiveness, and assured Niger of the service’s continued support.
“The NCS has over the years remained committed to facilitating trade for our landlocked neighbours, including the Republic of Niger.
“This commitment will be sustained, irrespective of political differences, because trade, security and regional stability are interconnected.” he said.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu had approved the provision of safe corridors and passages to ease the movement of loaded trucks awaiting clearance, as part of efforts to address concerns around transit bottlenecks.
He said cargoes from Apapa ports and Nigerian airports bound for neighbouring countries would still be processed and moved within 48 hours without compromising security or economic interests.
The C-G, however, warned that strict measures had been put in place to prevent the diversion of transit cargo, warning that economic operators who violate transit regulations would face stiff sanctions. “Non-compliance by a few operators creates non-tariff barriers and undermines trust.
“We are determined to ensure compliance, streamline documentation and remove avoidable bottlenecks along major corridors such as Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic, as well as routes linking Apapa ports and airports to neighbouring countries.” he said.
He said the engagement marked a renewed phase of cooperation, with follow-up actions to streamline operations, cut costs, boost trade, and make the corridor more attractive to transport operators.
Customs
He congratulated the director-general of Niger Republic Customs on his appointment and assured him of continued cooperation with the sister agency in Niger.
Speaking earlier, Mr Yaqoub said that the visit was aimed at addressing the prolonged blockage of trucks transiting from the Republic of Benin to Niger Republic, as well as to address security concerns in the region.
“We face common security challenges, particularly terrorism and banditry, and we believe that engagements like this provide an opportunity to find lasting solutions through cooperation and coordination,” he said.
Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. Garba Laka, national coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), said that insecurity in any part of the Sahel impacts all countries in the region.
According to him, arms trafficking, drug smuggling and the concealment of ammunition in cargo vehicles remain major threats that require coordinated and sustained action.
Mr Laka urged the revival of bilateral security frameworks such as cross-border right-of-pursuit arrangements, stressing that such mechanisms were essential to effectively combating terrorism and organised crime.
Ghana Sets To Import Fuel From Dangote Refinery
Ghana sets to import fuel from Dangote Refinery. Ghana sets to import fuel from Dangote Refinery. Ghana has committed to sourcing petroleum products from Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, citing limited domestic refining capacity.
The 650,000 bpd refinery can meet Nigeria’s demand and export surplus to regional markets.
Dangote Refinery
Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority CEO, Godwin Tameklo, stressed that stable regulations and exchange rates are key for successful intra-African energy trade.
Dangote’s Group VP, Devakumar Edwin, confirmed the refinery is operating at 85% capacity, leaving ample supply for exports.
Nigeria, France Pledge Strong Military Collaboration On Security
Nigeria, France pledge strong military collaboration on security. The COAS commended France for its continued collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the importance of sustained international defence cooperation as Nigeria intensifies efforts to address prevailing security challenges.
Mr Shaibu stated this while receiving the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Stéphane Useo, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The acting director, army public relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
The COAS commended France for its continued collaboration with the Nigerian Army, particularly in intelligence sharing, professional military training and support for operational readiness.
He said such partnerships remained critical to Nigeria’s broader strategy to counter evolving security threats within the country and the West African sub-region.
Mr Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to continuous professional development across all corps, stressing the need to sustain mutually beneficial bilateral defence cooperation.
According to him, a long-term partnership with France, anchored on capacity building, advanced training and enhanced operational effectiveness, aligns with contemporary security realities.
Earlier, Mr Useo praised the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Army in confronting emerging security challenges, particularly commending its successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin.
He advocated expanded access for Nigerian Army personnel to strategic professional military courses, especially in public relations and aviation.
France Pledge Strong Military Collaboration On Security
The French envoy also described the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information as one of the leading institutions in Africa for training personnel in civil-military relations and strategic communication.
Mr Useo reiterated France’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Nigeria, emphasising shared responsibility in promoting regional stability, countering emerging threats and building sustainable military capacity.
He said the partnership was mutually reinforcing and would continue to enhance the defence capabilities and professional standards of both nations.
The engagement focused on strengthening operational cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the French Armed Forces in response to evolving regional and global security challenges.
2026 GFP Report: Nigeria’s Navy Ranked Strongest In Africa, 22nd Globally
2026 GFP Report: Nigeria’s Navy ranked strongest in Africa, 22nd globally. The Nigerian naval fleet has been ranked the strongest in Africa, according to a 2026 Global Firepower (GFP) report.
The ranking is based on each country’s conventional war-fighting capability across land, sea, and air.
Nigeria shares maritime boundaries with the Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Sao Tome and Principe, all located in the Gulf of Guinea, along an estimated 853 km coastline.
The waters also cover Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which extends 220 nautical miles offshore and contains resources such as oil and aquatic life.
However, piracy and disputes remain persistent challenges.
Patrol boats, numbering 132, make up the bulk of the country’s 152 naval assets. The fleet is also credited with two mine warfare ships and one frigate.
Mine warfare can be deployed to deny access to strategic waterways or support siege-type operations around harbours and ports, while frigates have deep-water capabilities and can support rotorcraft.
The patrol boats consist of offshore patrol vessels, gunboats, missile boats, and fast-attack craft, designed for shallow-water operations.
The GFP report noted that Nigeria lacks aircraft carriers, submarines, corvettes, and destroyers.
Globally, the country was ranked 22nd.
In overall military strength, Nigeria was ranked third in Africa, behind Egypt and Algeria, and 33rd of 145 countries considered in the annual GFP review.
Navy Arrests
EGYPT, ALGERIA BEHIND NIGERIA IN NAVAL STRENGTH
Egypt was ranked Africa’s strongest military, followed by Algeria.
However, in terms of naval strength, Egypt was ranked second in Africa with 149 vessels and 23rd globally.
Algeria came in third place on the continent with 111 vessels and was ranked 34th globally.
Morocco and South Africa, operating 100 and 63 vessels, respectively, ranked fourth and fifth in Africa.
Tunisia, with 37 vessels, came sixth. Mozambique was seventh with 36 vessels, and Angola ranked eighth with 32 vessels.
Kenya and Eritrea occupied the ninth and 10th positions in Africa with 27 and 23 units.
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