The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reinforced its commitment to modernisation and international collaboration with the signing of a Joint Declaration with the Customs Administration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The declaration, signed in Brussels by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Nanette van Schelven, establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation in trade facilitation, intelligence sharing, border security, institutional capacity development and enforcement.
The agreement builds on the growing partnership between both customs administrations following the Nigeria Customs Service’s working visit to the Netherlands in October 2025 and the reciprocal visit of a Netherlands Customs delegation to Nigeria in March 2026.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Adeniyi described the Joint Declaration as another milestone in the Service’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships and align Nigeria’s customs administration with global best practice.
“This collaboration will improve intelligence exchange, strengthen enforcement operations, enhance capacity development, and support coordinated efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.
According to the Comptroller-General, the partnership reflects the Service’s strategic commitment to deploying modern customs practices, improving compliance management and enhancing border security through collaboration with leading customs administrations across the world.
“Stronger international cooperation is essential in addressing emerging threats such as illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, counterfeit goods, wildlife products and illegal arms,” Adeniyi said.
In her remarks, the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Nanette van Schelven, said the evolving global trade environment requires customs administrations to work more closely in addressing shared challenges while ensuring efficient and transparent trade processes.
“This agreement will promote knowledge exchange, mutual learning and stronger operational cooperation between our two organisations,” she said.
Under the Joint Declaration, both administrations agreed to deepen collaboration through technical assistance, specialised training, the exchange of expertise and the development of structured cooperation mechanisms to strengthen institutional capacity and operational effectiveness.
The declaration also provides the foundation for developing a joint work plan focused on improving border efficiency, strengthening supply chain security, promoting fair trade practices and enhancing coordinated responses to transnational organised crime.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading trading hub in West Africa while promoting a more secure, transparent and efficient customs administration through sustained international cooperation.
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