Follow Us on Google
Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a joint declaration aimed at deepening customs co-operation, enhancing trade facilitation and strengthening efforts to combat transnational organised crime.
The agreement was signed in Brussels on June 24 by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Nanette Van Schelven, following months of engagements between both customs administrations.
According to the NCS, the declaration is designed to improve collaboration in customs modernisation, intelligence sharing, compliance management, border control and enforcement operations, while facilitating legitimate trade between both countries.
The pact builds on a bilateral working visit by the Nigeria Customs Service to the Netherlands in October 2025 and a follow-up visit by a Dutch customs delegation to Nigeria in March 2026.
During the engagements, both sides explored areas of co-operation, including risk management, cargo clearance systems, supply chain security, capacity development and measures to tackle illicit trade.
The two customs administrations acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic role as one of West Africa’s largest economies and a key trading partner of the Netherlands, stressing that stronger customs co-operation is essential for promoting legitimate trade and curbing illegal cross-border activities.
The declaration also highlighted growing concerns over trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, counterfeit goods, wildlife products and weapons, noting that such threats require coordinated international action.
Other News
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Adeniyi stated that the partnership underscores the importance of international co-operation in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges.
He stated that the agreement would strengthen intelligence sharing, improve capacity building, enhance enforcement effectiveness and support efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade.
According to him, the declaration represents a major milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s international co-operation agenda and reflects the strong relationship that has developed between both customs administrations.
Van Schelven, in her remarks, stated that Nigeria and the Netherlands face similar challenges in an increasingly interconnected global trading environment.
She noted that closer collaboration would encourage mutual learning, strengthen operational capabilities and improve efforts to combat transnational organised crime while supporting efficient and transparent trade processes.
Under the declaration, both countries committed to expanding co-operation through training, knowledge sharing, exchange of expertise and the development of structured co-operation frameworks.
The agreement also provides a foundation for a joint work plan and future mechanisms aimed at improving border efficiency, promoting fair trade practices, strengthening supply chain security and addressing challenges associated with both legal and illegal cross-border movement of goods.
