The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is developing a uniform export procedure for onions across designated land borders to facilitate cross-border trade, minimise losses for farmers and traders, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the West African agricultural market.

The initiative targets an onion trade sector valued at over ₦200 billion and seeks to eliminate inconsistent procedures and unnecessary delays affecting the transportation of the highly perishable commodity.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the development on November 3, 2026, through the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, during a meeting on the proposed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for onion exports at the NCS headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting followed a request by the President of the Regional Observatory of the Onion Sector in West and Central Africa, Aliyu Maitasamu Isah, for a harmonised export procedure applicable across Nigeria’s land borders.

Bomodi explained that onions are highly perishable and vulnerable to damage during transportation, warning that prolonged delays at border crossings could result in significant financial losses for farmers and traders.

He reaffirmed Customs’ commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, stressing that the Service’s priority was to support businesses rather than create unnecessary obstacles.

He further noted that the Federal Government’s investments in cold-chain storage and agricultural infrastructure were aimed at preserving farm produce, extending shelf life and improving Nigeria’s export competitiveness.

According to him, the proposed framework would primarily facilitate trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where Nigerian onions qualify as originating goods because they are produced locally.

He identified Kebbi, Sokoto and Kano as major onion-producing states, noting that Nigerian produce already supplies regional markets, including Ghana and Mali.

Bomodi disclosed that Federal Ministry of Finance estimates put the value of local and regional onion trade at over ₦200 billion. He said improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the sector could increase foreign exchange earnings, expand commercial opportunities for farmers and open access to additional African, European and American markets.

However, he emphasised that streamlined export procedures must be supported by proper documentation, standardisation and quality control to satisfy international requirements.

He explained that agricultural exports are subject to regulations covering herbicide and pesticide use, packaging and product sizing. Customs therefore works with relevant agencies, including Plant Quarantine and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to ensure compliance.

Exporters are also required to obtain phytosanitary certificates confirming the plant-health status of their produce and compliance with applicable export regulations.

In his remarks, Isah appealed to Customs to introduce additional strategic measures to ease onion exports and address challenges confronting traders at designated land borders. He commended the Service for facilitating legitimate trade and intervening against alleged harassment and extortion of traders.

Source: PRNigeria – November 6, 2026⁠. Additional reporting: City Business News +1.