CROSS BORDER TRADE: Shippers’ Council Urges Traders To Latch On Border Info Centre Benefits
........Applauds Documentary On Cross-Border Trade Empowerment At Badagry Screening
By Roland Ekama
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Wednesday , called on traders in cross border business to seek assistance from its Border Information Centre (BIC) office, at Seme border post towards promoting seamless operations along the Lagos Abidijan corridor.
The Council made the plea at the unveiling of a film screening and dialogue session , while commending a new documentary titled “Trade Now: Empowering Cross-Border Traders Through the Trade Information Desk (TID)” as a key tool for trade advocacy.
The film screening and dialogue had in attendance ; officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, exporters, farmers , truck owners , traders , ECOWAS Commission , Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), etc
The documentary highlights the Trade Information Desk—known regionally as Border Information Centres (BICs)—which provide transparent guidance on tariffs, documentation, procedures, and dispute resolution to aid small-scale traders, particularly women and youth
Delivering opening remarks, Director Consumer Affairs Department NSC , Mrs Ify Okolue , welcomed stakeholders to the event at Badagry, organised by GIZ, ECOWAS Commission, with support from the Council .
Okolue commended partners for advancing regional integration and noted NSC’s role as Nigeria’s port economic regulator in establishing BICs at Seme-Krake, Jibia-Maradi, Illela-Birnin Koni, and Mfum-Nkot borders.
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The Director urged stakeholders to register formally with the BIC saying , “This film is more than a screening—it’s an advocacy platform to build efficient, responsive borders,”
She stressed the need for active dialogue participation to foster inclusive economic growth.
According to her , the film goes beyond screening; it serves as a vital advocacy tool, showcasing the BIC as a one-stop platform for tariffs, documentation, procedures, standards, sanitary measures, and dispute resolution directly tackling information gaps that hinder trade formalisation.
She noted that “The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, is fully committed to seamless, cost-effective borders. We’ve partnered with Borderless Alliance, GIZ, USAID West Africa Trade Hub, ECOWAS, and Nigeria Customs to establish BICs at Seme-Krake, Jibia-Maradi, Illela-Birnin Koni, and Mfum-Nkot borders, with Idiroko operational by Q2 2026.
“Complementing these, NSC advances:Inland Dry Ports (Kaduna, Dala, Funtua) for closer access to land-linked neighbours like Niger, Chad, and Mali.Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) for trucker safety and efficiency.
“Complaints mechanisms via nationwide offices, BICs, or www.pssp.ng.Cost moderation, guidelines, sensitisation, and capacity-building.
“We urge stakeholders to register formally for better service. This documentary powerfully illustrates the TID/BIC’s role in empowerment—urging you to use it for information and resolutions.As we screen the film and dialogue, engage actively to build responsive borders.” She stated.