In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark bilateral agreement on customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, June 26, 2025, during the 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council held at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) headquarters in Brussels.
Strengthening Strategic Customs Ties
The agreement was formalised by Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on behalf of Nigeria, and Governor Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi for Saudi Arabia.
Key focus areas of the agreement include:
- Customs enforcement and compliance
- Intelligence and information sharing
- Valuation cooperation
- Coordinated border management
- Adeniyi: A Milestone in Customs Diplomacy
Describing the deal as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s customs diplomacy, Adewale Adeniyi highlighted the benefits of the partnership:
“This agreement provides a strong platform for operational synergy in tackling customs offences, sharing intelligence, and ensuring fair and accurate application of customs laws. It aligns with our broader efforts to modernise Customs, promote transparency, and deepen Nigeria’s integration into the global trade ecosystem.”
Adeniyi further emphasized that beyond enforcement, the collaboration is also aimed at driving innovation and trust in customs administration.
“Nigeria is proud to join hands with Saudi Arabia in advancing a future where customs operations are smarter, faster, and more cooperative,” he said.
Saudi Arabia: Shared Commitment to Trade Integrity
Governor Suhail Abanmi hailed the agreement as a reflection of shared priorities between both nations:
- “Our customs administrations face similar challenges, and through this agreement, we aim to share knowledge, strengthen enforcement, and safeguard our economies from illicit trade.”
Agreement Framework and Global Alignment
Grounded in international customs conventions, including the WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance (1953), the agreement sets a robust framework for:
- Joint investigations
- Data and intelligence exchange
- Enforcement of trade prohibitions and restrictions
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The agreement is open-ended, with provisions for amendments or termination through diplomatic notification by either party.
A Step Forward for Nigerian Customs
This development comes as part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to modernize customs procedures, improve international trade facilitation, and enhance bilateral economic cooperation with strategic partners like Saudi Arabia.
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