By Fredrick Ameh
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up efforts to position Nigeria at the forefront of continental trade with the launch of a three-day high-level training programme on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Rules of Origin.
The capacity-building initiative, scheduled from March 31 to April 2, 2026, is aimed at equipping key stakeholders with the technical expertise needed to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and participation in intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.
Declaring the programme open, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by Assistant Comptroller-General (Strategic Research and Policy), Nafiu Isiaku, highlighted the strategic importance of the training.
He described the Rules of Origin as a cornerstone of economic integration, noting that proper understanding and application are critical to ensuring transparency, trade preference, and competitiveness across African markets.
According to him, the programme goes beyond theoretical discussions by providing participants with practical tools for planning, execution, and evaluation to support effective nationwide implementation.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator of AfCFTA, Olusegun Olutayo, described the training as a shift from policy dialogue to concrete economic action.
He emphasized that AfCFTA must deliver tangible outcomes, including job creation, increased income, and expanded business opportunities, urging stakeholders to deepen awareness and build capacity, particularly around the Rules of Origin framework.
Olutayo also acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in driving economic growth initiatives, while commending global partners such as the World Customs Organization and the European Union for their continued technical support.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage in the sessions and apply the knowledge gained to ensure Nigerian businesses remain competitive in the evolving continental trade landscape.
The programme is expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s readiness to harness the full benefits of AfCFTA and reinforce its position as a key player in African trade.