News Wings

Tag: compliance management

  • Customs Assures Onion Farmers, Exporters of Support

    Customs Assures Onion Farmers, Exporters of Support

    …As Stakeholders Seek Smoother Export Corridor

    The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has assured onion farmers and export-focused stakeholders of the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to removing non-tariff barriers, addressing operational bottlenecks and working with relevant agencies to create an enabling environment for export trade.

    CGC Adeniyi gave the assurance on Monday, 9 February 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/AOC), led by its President, Aliyu Maitasamu, to the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.

    “So let me assure onion farmers and other export-oriented stakeholders that the NCS will stand solidly behind you. We will remove all known non-tariff barriers and work with other government agencies and stakeholders to create a more facilitating environment for your trade,” the Comptroller-General said.

    He explained that the engagement was timely, noting that over the past six months, the Service had faced sustained pressure from economic operators in Benin and the Niger Republic over the use of Nigeria’s transit corridors, particularly routes through northeastern Nigeria and the Kamba axis.

    According to him, while discussions on transit corridors often focus on imports, the engagement with onion exporters presents an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s export narrative and unlock broader economic benefits.

    “What you are doing will help us balance the story. We will not only be talking about imports and transit, but also about exports. Exports bring economic prosperity, create employment, support a favourable balance of trade and ultimately contribute to GDP growth,” CGC Adeniyi stated.

    He added that, beyond urging compliance, regulatory agencies also have a responsibility to address legitimate stakeholder concerns. He disclosed that, following earlier representations by the association, he directed the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation to establish a structured engagement framework.

    On his part, ORO/AOC President Maitasamu commended the NCS for what he described as a prompt and decisive intervention following recent disruptions along the corridor.

    “With recent developments and the reopening now in effect, we are here to appreciate the NCS for its prompt action,” he said, while calling for sustained engagement to ensure smooth and lasting operations, in line with earlier assurances given by the Comptroller-General in Kebbi State.

    Maitasamu acknowledged the complexity of regulating cross-border trade and affirmed the association’s readiness to work closely with Customs, proposing improved coordination mechanisms for onion transit. He noted that ORO/AOC possesses the infrastructure, expertise and regional presence to support Customs operations, including documentation and compliance management across the corridor.

    Highlighting the sector’s economic significance, he disclosed that Nigeria is Africa’s second-largest onion producer after Egypt, with an annual output of about 2.1 million metric tonnes. He added that data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation values Nigeria’s onion production at approximately ₦1.17 trillion, with the Niger Republic and other countries such as Algeria, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Cameroon playing complementary roles in the regional onion value chain.

    He emphasised that Nigeria and the Niger Republic currently remain the two most significant players in onion production and exchange within the ECOWAS and Sahel regions.

    Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, described the engagement as aligned with government efforts to balance economic growth and security considerations.

    He explained that the proposed token system discussed at the meeting has two core elements —data and infrastructure.

    ‘’One component is the data, which your association already has. The other is infrastructure. Trucks moving across these corridors put pressure on our roads, and the token system will allow the government to recover some of those costs over time for road maintenance,” DCG Bomodi concluded.

  • Cybersecurity Evolution: Zoracom’ s Visionary Approach to Safeguarding Digital Assets

    Cybersecurity Evolution: Zoracom’ s Visionary Approach to Safeguarding Digital Assets

    In an era of rapid digitalization where organizations worldwide are heavily investing in digital assets, the persistent threat of cybersecurity breaches has underscored the critical need for robust cybersecurity partners. Rising to meet this demand is Zoracom, a technology company for cybersecurity, observability and infrastructure management based in Lagos that has achieved significant milestones since the establishment of its Network and Security Operations Center (NSOC), touted as one of the most sophisticated in both Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Zoracom’s NSOC has made remarkable advancements in capacity building for cybersecurity experts and the mitigation of digital breaches. Speaking at a media parley, John Nwachukwu, Chief Strategy/Executive Officer – CSEO of Zoracom, emphasized the evolving nature of the digital landscape, stating, “As the digital landscape is constantly changing, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to protect against the various forms of cyberattacks that are targeting organizations of all sizes.”

    Zoracom has strategically invested in state-of-the-art technologies and strategies within its NSOC (Network & Security Operation Centers) to stay one step ahead of cyber attackers. The facility specializes in providing cybersecurity solutions and network monitoring capabilities to public and private organizations, offering services such as network security monitoring, security incident response, vulnerability management, compliance management, security analytics, and security training and education.

    Furthermore, Zoracom operates as a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), offering services such as threat analyses, ransomware detection, 24/7 expert-led threat monitoring and response, compliance monitoring, and forensic analyses. The company is committed to empowering businesses with the right technology to secure their digital footprint, gain flexibility, and achieve agility in connecting, securing, managing, and analyzing data.

    Highlighting their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), Nwachukwu emphasized Zoracom’s engagement in Young Talent training within the community where they operate. He stated, “We proudly underscore our unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering interns, fostering talent specializing in cybersecurity, network management, and software development.”

    In the realm of cybersecurity training and awareness, Zoracom has achieved ISO27001 certification and provides training and programs to keep businesses informed about the latest cybersecurity best practices.

    Expanding their impact, Zoracom has played a pivotal role in maintaining a reliable and efficient network and service management, enhancing the digital service and cybersecurity defenses in the telecom industry. The company proactively manage, monitors and maintains networks, including broadband access networks, mobile networks, LoRa Access Networks, Radio Networks, Optical/SDH, Ethernet, IP/MLS Aggregation, Optical, IP/MPLS Backbones, Security/Firewalls, Voice/Soft Switch, Change and Config management for MNOs

    In response to the booming fintech sector in Nigeria, Zoracom has seamlessly integrated its services, offering data analytics, enhanced customer engagement through Miro–Service Management solutions, regulatory compliance, risk management, and innovations in payments. The company’s advanced data analytics services enable swift decision-making, while AI-powered solutions assist fintech companies in resolving complex queries. Zoracom’s risk assessment capabilities identify potential risks, while its automated network and service management solutions save time and reduce operational costs.

    The cornerstone of Zoracom’s success is its cutting-edge NSOC facility, which is equipped with tools and resources to monitor network service and cyber threats in real time. Launched in December 2022, the facility has brought a proactive approach to network monitoring and cybersecurity, resulting in various achievements and awards for the organization.

    Looking ahead, John Nwachukwu outlined Zoracom’s vision, stating, “We envision an exciting chapter marked by strategic international partnerships that will propel us to new heights. With a focus on global collaboration, we anticipate forging key alliances with organizations from diverse countries to deliver excellent digital observability.