By Nkechi Eze
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has intensified diplomatic and economic engagement with the United Arab Emirates, signalling a renewed push to deepen bilateral trade and strengthen customs collaboration between both countries.
This formed the focus of a high-level meeting held on 29 April 2026 at the UAE Embassy in Abuja, where the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service and representatives of the UAE reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade relations and enhancing institutional cooperation in customs administration.
During the engagement, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed, congratulated Adeniyi on his emergence as Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO), describing the development as a landmark achievement not only for Nigeria but for the African continent.
The Ambassador commended the Comptroller-General and his management team for what he described as purposeful leadership and sustained commitment to trade growth, noting that the partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and UAE authorities has yielded tangible outcomes, particularly in the expansion of non-oil trade.
According to him, trade relations between both countries have witnessed a substantial increase between 2023 and 2025, despite prevailing global and regional challenges, adding that the Nigeria–UAE partnership remains one of the most productive bilateral engagements maintained by the Embassy.
He further disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding has already been forwarded as part of efforts to formalise and strengthen cooperation between customs administrations of both countries, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation and efficient customs processes.
Describing the Nigerian Customs leadership as highly valued partners, the Ambassador noted that their efforts have played a critical role in sustaining Nigeria’s current trajectory of trade growth and economic engagement.
In his response, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the warm diplomatic reception and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to building on the existing relationship to unlock greater economic opportunities.
He emphasised that the engagement marks the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria–UAE relations, particularly in fostering ease of trade and enhancing collaboration between customs institutions.
The Comptroller-General stated that the Service is focused on simplifying trade processes, especially for small and medium-scale enterprises, while also leveraging diplomatic channels to promote synergy among customs administrations globally.
He noted that trade relations between Nigeria and the UAE have improved significantly in recent years, assuring that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue engaging stakeholders, including traders and logistics operators, to improve efficiency and support legitimate commerce.
Adeniyi also highlighted the importance of joint efforts in addressing activities that undermine Nigeria’s international image, stressing that stronger institutional cooperation between both countries would enhance security, build trust, and drive sustainable economic growth.
The meeting underscores growing economic diplomacy between Nigeria and the UAE, with both sides signalling readiness to consolidate gains and explore new frontiers of cooperation in trade and customs administration.
