By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to advance the federal government’s trade reform agenda through closer collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Single Window (NSW) Secretariat.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Zacch Adedeji, and the Director of the NSW Project, Mr Tola Fakolade, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

The high-level meeting reviewed progress on the project and outlined final steps towards its operational take-off in the first quarter of 2026.

Addressing the session, Mr Adeniyi stressed that the NSW is a transformational initiative that will reshape Nigeria’s trade landscape, noting that its success depends on seamless inter-agency collaboration.

“This project is not just about technology; it is about building a modern trade ecosystem where government agencies work as one to serve the trading community with efficiency, transparency, and speed,” Mr Adeniyi said.

Launched in April 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, the NSW is a unified digital platform connecting all trade-related government agencies. The platform is expected to drastically cut bureaucratic bottlenecks, reduce cargo clearance time, lower operators’ costs, and position Nigeria as a more competitive player in global trade.

In his remarks, Mr Adedeji reaffirmed FIRS’ commitment to the project, saying the revenue agency would collaborate fully to ensure the system delivers on its promise of improved compliance, revenue growth, and ease of doing business.

On his part, the NSW Director called on all participating agencies to meet their integration timelines to keep the Q1 2026 launch on track.

It was gathered that the meeting concluded with a shared pledge by the NCS, FIRS, and NSW Secretariat to intensify technical integration, maintain open engagement channels, and keep stakeholders informed.

The platform, when fully operational, will not only enhance revenue generation but also create jobs, strengthen compliance, and provide tangible benefits for businesses, government, and consumers alike.

From Nollywood to Afrobeats to the influencer economy, Nigerian youth are redefining Africa’s digital landscape. Across film, music, and online media, a new generation of creators is building careers that carry Nigeria’s culture onto the global stage. Filmmakers like Isaac Effiong, alongside countless digital storytellers, podcasters, and influencers, are not only entertaining audiences but also shaping how the world sees us. Yet this progress is fragile. Piracy continues to eat away at their hard-earned gains, eroding livelihoods and weakening the foundations of Nigeria’s youth-driven creative economy.

Piracy doesn’t just steal views; it steals creativity, opportunity, and the future of Africa’s storytellers. If you love your music, your shows, or your favourite creators, here’s how to protect youth culture and become a true warrior against piracy.

Step 1: Know What Piracy Looks Like

Piracy isn’t always obvious, so the first step is being able to spot it. It’s not just about pirated DVDs anymore. It happens when movies, music, or shows are uploaded to illegal websites, when cracked apps give you free access to premium content, or even when someone reposts another creator’s video without credit.

If it looks suspiciously free or doesn’t come from an official source, chances are it’s pirated.

Step 2: Understand Why Piracy is a Problem

Piracy might seem harmless, “just one free stream,” but the ripple effects are massive. First, it puts you at risk: those illegal sites often carry malware, viruses, or scams that can steal your data. Second, it exposes you to unsafe and inappropriate content. Most importantly, it weakens the creative economy.

The global creator industry is worth over $250 billion, and African youth are leading its growth. When piracy takes money away from creators, it makes it harder for them to keep producing the music, shows, and films you love.

Step 3: Support Legit Platforms

The best way to fight piracy is to reward creators by consuming their work through the right channels. That means using official apps for streaming, paying subscription fees that directly support African creatives, and following verified accounts.

Think of it like buying an original jersey to support your favourite football club; it’s your way of saying, “I value your work.”

Step 4: Be a Culture Warrior

You’re not just a consumer of culture; you’re part of it. Every choice you make online either protects or harms it. Being a culture warrior means reporting pirated content when you see it, avoiding dodgy links even if they’re free, and educating your friends about why piracy hurts all of us.

Remember: when piracy wins, originality loses. And when originality loses, our voices fade.

Step 5: Take Action Today

The fight against piracy isn’t for tomorrow; it starts now. You can:

• Report piracy to official hotlines and emails. These reports help shut down illegal networks.

• Share the message on your social media and spread awareness so your peers know the dangers of piracy.

• Call it out when you see someone circulating pirated content. Sometimes, people simply don’t realise the harm.

• Double-check your sources before downloading or streaming. If it’s not from a legit platform, skip it.

Report Piracy Hotlines & Emails: +27 11 289 2684, piracy@multichoice.co.za, mcg@irdeto.com, supersport@irdeto.com.

This fight is not for another day; it starts now. Culture only thrives when we defend it, and it is in the hands of this generation to safeguard the originality, fairness, and creativity that Nigerian youth are celebrated for worldwide. Protecting your favourite music, movies, and creators is more than loyalty; it is an investment in a future where Africa’s stories remain authentically ours.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has reiterated its commitment to standardising Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, with a renewed focus on formalising artisanal mining activities and promoting value-added exports.

Mrs Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC made the commitment at a strategic engagement themed Standardisation of Solid Minerals and Artisanal Miners’ Activities on Thursday in Bauchi.

The ED, represented by a Deputy Director of the agency, Mrs Ngozi Ibe, highlighted the vast untapped potential within the sector while acknowledging persistent challenges such as informal mining practices, inadequate technology and limited access to funding.

“This engagement is a critical step as it provides a platform to share ideas, promote clustering, and encourage value addition along the minerals value chain,” she said.

Mrs Ayeni emphasised NEPC’s strategic focus areas: enhancing the capacity of exporters, leveraging technology, expanding market access and supporting value-added exports.

“Notably, solid minerals have now been officially included in NEPC’s One State-One Product (OSOP) initiative, following a resolution from the 16th National Council on Commerce, Trade, and Investment held in Lagos,” she said.

She called on the Bauchi State Export Promotion Committee to implement these resolutions for inclusive stakeholder participation and sectorial growth.

She added that the NEPC is pursuing initiatives such as establishing mineral clusters, formalising cross-border trade and creating export skill acquisition centres to empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Also present at the event, Mr Musa Pali, Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Bauchi chapter, applauded the initiative, saying it would help curb illegal mining and improve access to funding and equipment.

Mrs Fatie Isha, Bauchi State Coordinator for Women in Mining (WIMN), also commended NEPC, noting that standardisation would enhance the participation of women miners in cross-border trade, urging the government to create a more supportive environment for women in the sector.