NCS signs MoUs with Fire Service, Unilever to boost safety, trade protection

By Onu Okorie

Nigeria Customs Service NCS has signed separate Memoranda of Understanding MoUs, with the Federal Fire Service FFS and Unilever Nigeria Plc to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, improve public-private collaboration, protect legitimate trade and support Nigeria’s economic growth.
The agreements were signed on August 27, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the engagement with the Federal Fire Service, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the MoU as a bold, deliberate and strategic step towards strengthening collaboration between the two agencies.
He said the partnership would support their shared responsibility of protecting lives, property and critical national assets.
According to Adeniyi, the agreement would enhance fire safety standards across Customs facilities, facilitate rapid response to emergencies, support joint training and capacity building, as well as promote information sharing on fire safety and emergency preparedness.
“I am very confident that this MoU will translate to practical actions that save lives, protect government assets, and enhance our collective capacity to respond to emergencies,” he said.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, described the agreement as the first strong MoU between the Fire Service and a sister agency.
He assured that the FFS would deploy its expertise and capacity towards protecting Customs personnel and assets.
In a separate engagement with Unilever Nigeria Plc, Adeniyi said the partnership demonstrated the Service’s commitment to deeper collaboration with the private sector, particularly in addressing challenges affecting trade and industrial development.
He said the agreement would strengthen cooperation in the prevention of counterfeiting, intelligence sharing, and the identification and verification of suspected counterfeit products.
The Customs boss explained that the MoU would create a structured channel for the real-time exchange of information on trademarks, product identification features, packaging and product samples.
Adeniyi noted that engagements with private-sector stakeholders often provide valuable insights that influence Customs policies and operational decisions.
“Some of the takeaways we get from these engagements with the private sector influence the policies and decisions that we take,” he stated.
He commended Unilever for its sustained investment, innovation and contribution to employment generation, describing the company as a major partner in Nigeria’s trade and industrial sector.
Speaking on behalf of Unilever Nigeria Plc, its Managing Director, Tobi Adeniyi, said the company had maintained a long-standing presence in Nigeria since 1923.
He disclosed that more than 70 per cent of the company’s raw materials had been localised, while its operations support about 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Adeniyi also commended the NCS for its transformation initiatives, particularly its digitalisation drive, the Authorised Economic Operator programme and other trade facilitation measures.
He said previous engagements between Unilever and the Customs Service had already produced practical results, including lessons drawn from training involving more than 70 Customs officers.
The Unilever chief reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working closely with the NCS to combat counterfeiting and illicit trade, while expanding the partnership through further engagements across the country.
The twin agreements are expected to strengthen safety and emergency preparedness within Customs facilities, while also deepening efforts to protect consumers, legitimate businesses and Nigeria’s trade environment from the threat of counterfeit and illicit products.