By Amina Ojelabi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its international cooperation efforts through a high-level strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), aimed at strengthening knowledge exchange and advancing customs modernisation.
The bilateral meeting, held in Beijing on July 25, brought together senior officials from both agencies to discuss collaboration on capacity development, training methodologies, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in customs administration.
The 21-member Nigerian delegation was led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, who serves as the Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada.
Meanwhile Discussions were held with the GACC’s International Cooperation Division, Training and Education Centre, and representatives from the Shanghai Customs College.
At the heart of the engagement was the deepening of mutual cooperation in areas such as customs training models, virtual and technology-based learning platforms, and trade facilitation. The Chinese side also showcased its robust training infrastructure, which includes the use of virtual reality (VR), 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning modules. In 2024 alone, the GACC delivered more than 8,000 in-person training sessions and developed over 360 online courses.
The dialogue also highlighted Nigeria’s growing involvement in China-led customs development programmes. Since 2023, more than 200 African customs officers—89 of whom are Nigerians—have undergone specialised training in key areas such as anti-smuggling operations, food safety supervision, digital port systems, and customs modernisation.
Chinese officials commended Nigeria’s recent reforms and rising prominence on the international customs stage, particularly the election of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council. The appointment was hailed as a significant step in bolstering Nigeria’s role in global customs diplomacy.
The meeting also explored potential technical cooperation in officer exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, and regional port systems development, with an emphasis on cross-border intelligence sharing.
As part of a broader institutional reform agenda, the Platform Business Development Agency facilitated the engagement. The Agency’s founder coordinated the visit, underscoring the importance of easing trade processes and building institutional capacity to align with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Nigeria’s participation in future training programmes at the Shanghai Customs College and upcoming Customs Modernisation Courses was also confirmed, signalling a continued commitment to capacity building and trade facilitation.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to strengthening its human capital, deepening international partnerships, and modernising customs operations in line with global best practices.
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