Nigeria, Netherlands Seal Landmark Customs Pact to Boost Trade, Strengthen Border Security
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Customs Administration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a landmark Joint Declaration aimed at strengthening trade facilitation, enhancing border security, boosting intelligence sharing, and combating transnational organised crime in a move expected to deepen bilateral customs cooperation between both countries.
The development was disclosed in a press release issued by the Nigeria Customs Service and signed by Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, for the Comptroller-General of Customs.
According to the statement, the agreement was signed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Brussels by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs. Nanette Van Schelven, following months of high-level engagements designed to strengthen customs modernisation, compliance management, intelligence exchange and enforcement cooperation.
The Customs Service explained that the partnership builds on the bilateral working visit of the Nigerian delegation to the Netherlands in October 2025, as well as the return visit of the Netherlands Customs delegation to Nigeria in March 2026.
The agreement seeks to improve cooperation in key areas including risk management, cargo clearance systems, border control, supply chain security, capacity development, trade facilitation, and the fight against illicit cross-border trade.
Both customs administrations also acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic role as one of West Africa’s largest economies and an important trading partner of the Netherlands, stressing that stronger customs cooperation is essential to promoting legitimate trade while tackling organised cross-border crimes.
The declaration identified growing threats such as trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, counterfeit goods, wildlife products and illegal weapons, noting that these crimes require coordinated international action.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi described the agreement as a major milestone in the Service’s international cooperation agenda.
“The Netherlands Customs have demonstrated the immense value of international cooperation in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges. This partnership will strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness, and support our collective efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade,” Adeniyi said.
He added that the declaration reflects the strong relationship built by both customs administrations over the years and would further enhance operational collaboration.
Also speaking, the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs. Nanette Van Schelven, said both countries face similar challenges in today’s increasingly interconnected global trading environment.
“Closer collaboration will promote mutual learning, strengthen operational capabilities, and improve efforts to tackle transnational organised crime while supporting efficient and transparent trade processes,” she stated.
Under the agreement, both countries committed to expanding cooperation through structured knowledge sharing, specialised training, exchange of expertise, and the development of practical cooperation frameworks.
The declaration also provides the foundation for a joint work plan that will improve border efficiency, strengthen supply chain security, promote fair trade practices, and address challenges associated with both legitimate and illegal cross-border movement of goods.
The Nigeria Customs Service expressed confidence that the partnership would enhance institutional capacity, improve enforcement operations, and facilitate seamless international trade while reinforcing efforts to combat cross-border criminal activities.
