Airline Operators Commend Customs, Applaud Adeniyi’s Reform-Driven Leadership
Kathy Kyari
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has hailed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for rolling out business-friendly reforms that are reshaping the aviation sector and strengthening collaboration with industry players.
A delegation from the AON Board of Trustees, led by President Abdulmunaf Sarina, paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Abuja.
Welcoming the delegation, Adeniyi acknowledged the vital role of airline operators in Nigeria’s economic growth, stressing that their contributions go beyond financial investment.
“It is very pleasing to know that members of the Board of Trustees and indeed other members of AON are not just investors in the aviation sector, but they are also playing very strategic roles in the economy. We appreciate the expertise, knowledge, and cerebral contributions your members continue to bring into this sector,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that discussions with AON extended beyond the 4% Free on Board (FOB) levy, leading to mutually beneficial outcomes. He highlighted reforms such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, advanced ruling for importers, and the creation of aviation desks at airports, seaports, and courier hubs. Adeniyi also clarified that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) was not a unilateral Nigerian charge but a binding regional obligation.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, AON Trustee Allen Onyema praised Adeniyi’s leadership style, contrasting it with past tensions between airlines and customs.
“In the past, dealing with Customs was like climbing a mountain blindly. We often fought with Customs and took our grievances to the media. Since assuming office, CGC Adeniyi has transformed the service into one that listens, engages, and supports businesses. This is why the AON Board decided to pay this first-ever courtesy call to say thank you and encourage you to continue in this positive direction,” Onyema said.
Onyema also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing capable leaders like Adeniyi, saying the reforms had improved airline operations, created jobs, and boosted revenue for government.
The AON leadership pledged to deepen its partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service to further advance the aviation industry and contribute to national economic growth.
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