By Oluwakemi kindness
Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a landmark customs cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, strengthening border security, and combating transnational crime.
The Joint Declaration was signed in Brussels by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Nanette Van Schelven.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Abdulhai Maiwada, Nigeria Customs Service spokesperson, the agreement follows a series of bilateral engagements, including reciprocal visits by officials from both customs administrations in 2025 and 2026.
The partnership provides a framework for collaboration in customs modernisation, intelligence sharing, risk management, cargo clearance, and enforcement operations.
It also commits both countries to closer cooperation in tackling drug trafficking, arms smuggling, counterfeit goods, and other forms of illicit cross-border trade.
Speaking on the significance of the agreement, Adeniyi described the declaration as a major milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s efforts to deepen international partnerships and improve border management.
He noted that enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement would strengthen supply chain security and boost operational effectiveness.
Van Schelven said the partnership would encourage mutual learning, improve institutional capacity, and reinforce joint efforts to combat transnational organised crime while facilitating legitimate trade.
The agreement also includes provisions for training programmes, knowledge exchange, and the development of joint work plans designed to improve border efficiency and promote seamless international commerce.
