The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that Nigeria and Benin Republic have agreed to implement a single entry declaration form for border crossings between the two countries.
Iheanacho Earnest-Ojike, the Kebbi Area Controller of NCS, shared this news following a meeting between NCS officials and representatives from Benin Republic.
The meeting, held behind closed doors in the Benin Republic border town of Anguwar Sule Wara on Saturday, aimed to enhance border procedures and trade relations.
In a briefing to journalists about the meeting’s outcome, Mr. Earnest-Ojike mentioned that a prior meeting on May 21 between the foreign ministers of Nigeria and Benin Republic had focused on promoting the free flow of trade and commerce.
“The objective of the meeting was to revitalize the border crossing between Tsamiya in Nigeria and Anguwar Sule Wara in Benin Republic through infrastructural development, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope initiative,” said Mr. Earnest-Ojike.
“It also aimed to strengthen social and economic interactions and to expand trade and commerce between the citizens of both countries.”
According to him, the latest meeting concluded with a final agreement on the single entry declaration form. This form will be used by citizens of both countries for border crossings.
“Both countries are signatories to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), which support the principles of unified border posts,” he explained.
Mr. Earnest-Ojike also mentioned that Nigeria and Benin Republic will establish a joint border agency to inspect goods and people, creating a one-stop border post at the Segbana border.
He expressed confidence that this agreement would further regional integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
