Nigeria, Netherlands sign customs pact to tackle cross-border crime, boost trade

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a Joint Declaration to strengthen customs cooperation in trade facilitation, border security and the fight against transnational organised crime.

The agreement was signed in Brussels on Wednesday by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs Nanette Van Schelven, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada.

The declaration is expected to deepen collaboration between both customs administrations in intelligence sharing, customs modernisation, compliance management, enforcement operations, capacity building and supply chain security.

The NCS said the agreement followed a series of high-level engagements between the two countries, including a bilateral working visit by Nigerian customs officials to the Netherlands in October 2025 and a return visit by a Dutch customs delegation to Nigeria in March 2026.

Both parties acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic position as one of West Africa’s leading economies and a key trading partner of the Netherlands, stressing the need for stronger customs cooperation to facilitate legitimate trade and curb illegal cross-border activities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Adeniyi said the partnership underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges.

“The 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,” he said.

The CGC described the declaration as a significant milestone in the Service’s international cooperation drive and a reflection of the growing relationship between the two customs administrations.

In her remarks, Van Schelven said both countries 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 promoting efficient and transparent trade processes.

The declaration also highlighted growing concerns over the trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, counterfeit goods, wildlife products and weapons, stressing the need for coordinated international action to tackle the threats.

Under the agreement, both countries will exchange expertise, training and technical knowledge, while developing a joint work plan aimed at improving border efficiency, strengthening supply chain security and promoting fair trade practices.