By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a major step in strengthening its international partnerships through a high-level engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), aimed at advancing customs administration, capacity building, and technological innovation.
Held in Beijing on July 25, 2025, the strategic dialogue brought together senior officers from both nations to explore enhanced knowledge exchange and modernisation collaboration between the two customs institutions.
According to a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC) Abdullahi Maiwada, the Nigerian delegation was led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada. The 21-member team engaged with top officials from GACC’s International Cooperation Division, Training and Education Centre, and the Shanghai Customs College, focusing on areas critical to customs efficiency and regional trade facilitation.
During the engagement, the Chinese Customs authorities presented their structured training architecture which integrates cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality (VR), 5G systems, and blended e-learning platforms. In 2024 alone, GACC recorded over 8,000 in-person training sessions and developed 360 digital courses for customs personnel across China.
The Nigerian delegation also held detailed discussions on customs modernisation strategies, enforcement models, and the integration of smart systems in port and border operations, highlighting China’s growing role in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem. The meeting provided an opportunity for Nigeria to reflect on its participation in China-led customs training programmes, where over 200 African customs officers, 89 of them Nigerians have been trained since 2023. These trainings have focused on critical domains such as trade facilitation, anti-smuggling enforcement, food safety supervision, and digital port operations.
Chinese Customs officials acknowledged recent reforms introduced under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and praised Nigeria’s rising profile in global customs diplomacy. Of particular note was the commendation of Adeniyi’s election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, which they described as a landmark achievement for Africa and a boost to Nigeria’s international customs influence.
Both parties expressed mutual interest in establishing further technical exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, and officer exchange schemes focused on regional port systems, customs intelligence sharing, and operational excellence. Nigeria is also set to participate in upcoming Customs Modernisation Courses and officer development training sessions at the Shanghai Customs College, with additional support from China’s customs education institutions.
The bilateral engagement was facilitated by the Platform Business Development Agency, whose founder coordinated the visit as part of a broader reform strategy aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, strengthening trade architecture, and supporting institutional capacity development across Africa.
The collaboration aligns with the overarching goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly the drive toward harmonised customs procedures, knowledge-based administration, and integrated infrastructure for sustainable regional trade growth.
The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation, human capital investment, and the adoption of global best practices in customs operations. Through strengthened bilateral ties with China and other strategic partners, the NCS continues to position itself as a key player in shaping a secure, efficient, and technology-driven customs ecosystem for Nigeria and the wider region.
