Paragraph 1: Strengthening International Cooperation for Enhanced Customs Administration
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has embarked on a significant initiative to bolster its international cooperation efforts by engaging with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). This high-level meeting, held in Beijing over the weekend, brought together senior officers from both organizations to explore avenues for bilateral knowledge exchange and capacity development in customs administration. The engagement underscored the growing importance of international collaboration in strengthening customs practices and promoting trade facilitation. The focus was placed on enhancing cooperation in critical areas such as customs training methodologies, modernization models, and technology-driven solutions, particularly considering China’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s international trade network.
Paragraph 2: Facilitating Customs Reform and Capacity Building
The meeting between the NCS and GACC was facilitated by the Platform Business Development Agency, with its founder coordinating the engagement as part of a broader initiative to drive customs sector reform, ease of doing business, and institutional capacity building. This collaboration aligns with the overall objective of promoting knowledge sharing and harmonizing customs procedures, which are crucial elements for building an integrated trade infrastructure for sustainable development within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The NCS recognizes the importance of leveraging international best practices and expertise to modernize its operations and enhance its contribution to economic growth.
Paragraph 3: Knowledge Exchange and Training Methodologies
The Nigerian delegation, comprising 21 members and led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, engaged in productive discussions with their Chinese counterparts. The Chinese Customs authorities shared their structured training system, which incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches. In 2024 alone, GACC conducted over 8,000 physical training sessions and developed 360 online courses, demonstrating their commitment to continuous learning and development within the customs sector. This exchange of best practices in training methodologies offers valuable insights for the NCS in enhancing its training programs and equipping its officers with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Paragraph 4: Nigeria’s Active Participation in China-Led Initiatives
The discussions also highlighted Nigeria’s active involvement in China-led customs development initiatives. Over 200 African Customs Officers, including 89 from Nigeria, have benefited from training programs conducted by China since 2023. These training programs cover various aspects of customs administration, such as trade facilitation, anti-smuggling enforcement, food safety supervision, and digital port operations. Nigeria’s participation in these initiatives underscores its commitment to regional collaboration and its recognition of the importance of learning from China’s experience in customs modernization and reform. The training received by Nigerian officers contributes to enhancing their expertise and strengthens the capacity of the NCS to effectively manage customs operations.
Paragraph 5: Recognition of NCS Reforms and Leadership
Chinese Customs officials acknowledged the recent reforms undertaken within the NCS and commended Nigeria’s growing leadership in international customs platforms. They expressed appreciation for the election of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, recognizing this achievement as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s customs diplomacy. This recognition reinforces the NCS’s commitment to international engagement and its efforts to contribute to the development of global customs standards and practices. Both countries expressed mutual interest in exploring technical exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and officer exchange schemes focusing on regional port systems and cross-border intelligence cooperation.
Paragraph 6: Future Collaboration and Commitment to Modernization
The bilateral dialogue between the NCS and GACC has paved the way for new areas of collaboration. Nigeria’s participation in upcoming customs modernization courses and officer development training at the Shanghai Customs College is a key outcome of this engagement. These training opportunities will further enhance the capacity of Nigerian customs officers and contribute to the modernization of customs operations in Nigeria. Under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening its human capital, fostering intergovernmental partnerships, and modernizing customs operations in line with global best practices. This collaborative approach, coupled with a focus on continuous improvement, will enable the NCS to effectively address the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving global trade landscape.
