By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing legitimate trade with China while intensifying efforts to curb illicit financial flows and other transborder economic crimes, as part of renewed bilateral cooperation aimed at strengthening economic relations between both countries.
According to an official statement, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, made this known on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, while receiving the Ambassador-Designate to China, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd.), at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi noted that Dambazau’s background in the military and leadership experience positioned him strongly for the diplomatic assignment, expressing confidence in his capacity to further deepen Nigeria’s strategic engagement with China.
He described China as Nigeria’s largest trading partner, adding that discussions during the visit focused on enhancing structured trade relations and ensuring compliance by businesses operating within the Nigeria-China trade corridor.
The Customs boss disclosed that some Chinese companies are already participating in the Service’s Authorised Economic Operator programme, while compliant firms continue to benefit from improved facilitation and recognition under existing trade frameworks.
He further explained that the Nigeria Customs Service maintains a Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement with the General Administration of Customs of China, designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, improve enforcement coordination and support legitimate trade flows.
Adeniyi stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noting that effective trade facilitation requires harmonised operations among relevant government institutions to achieve seamless and transparent processes.
He also raised concerns over discrepancies in trade data between both countries, calling for improved alignment in trade statistics to ensure accurate economic analysis and policy formulation.
According to him, stronger communication and continuous engagement between Nigeria and China would enhance efficiency in trade facilitation and deliver mutual economic benefits.
On enforcement, the Comptroller-General said Nigeria was intensifying efforts to prevent the country from becoming a transit route for illegal wildlife trade, while also advocating deeper intelligence sharing between both nations.
He added that stronger cooperation was also required to tackle illegal mining activities and strengthen border security operations through data-driven enforcement strategies.
Speaking during the visit, the Ambassador-Designate to China, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd.), expressed appreciation for the reception and described the engagement as crucial to his diplomatic assignment.
He said closer collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service would improve trade efficiency, reduce cargo clearance delays and ensure that Nigeria fully benefits from trade arrangements with China, including zero-tariff frameworks for African countries.
Dambazau also warned against the misuse of trade policies for unlawful gains, stressing the need for stronger certification processes and tighter import regulation systems.
He assured that enhanced cooperation between his office and the Nigeria Customs Service would support smoother trade operations and strengthen Nigeria-China economic relations.
