The agreement strengthens customs collaboration, intelligence sharing and trade facilitation while boosting efforts against transnational organised crime

Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a major joint declaration aimed at strengthening customs cooperation, facilitating trade and intensifying efforts to combat transnational organised crime.

The agreement was signed in Brussels on June 24 by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Nanette Van Schelven, marking a significant step in bilateral relations between both customs administrations.

According to the Nigeria Customs Service, the declaration seeks to deepen collaboration in customs modernisation, intelligence sharing, compliance management, border control and enforcement operations while promoting legitimate trade between the two countries.

The agreement follows months of engagements between the customs authorities and builds on a working visit by the Nigeria Customs Service to the Netherlands in October 2025, as well as a reciprocal visit by a Dutch customs delegation to Nigeria in March 2026.

During the exchanges, officials from both countries explored opportunities for cooperation in risk management, cargo clearance systems, supply chain security, capacity development and strategies to combat illicit trade.

The two customs administrations acknowledged Nigeria’s position as one of West Africa’s largest economies and a key trading partner of the Netherlands, stressing that stronger customs collaboration is essential for improving trade efficiency and tackling cross-border criminal activities.

The declaration comes amid growing global concerns over the trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, counterfeit goods, wildlife products and illegal weapons, challenges that increasingly require coordinated international responses.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Adewale Adeniyi described the agreement as a strategic milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s drive to strengthen international partnerships and modernise border management.

“This partnership underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges,” Adeniyi said.

He noted that the declaration would enhance intelligence sharing, strengthen capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness and support efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade flows.

According to him, the pact reflects the strong and productive relationship that has developed between both customs administrations over the past year.

In her remarks, Nanette Van Schelven said Nigeria and the Netherlands face similar challenges in an increasingly interconnected global trading environment and would benefit from closer cooperation.

She explained that the partnership would create opportunities for mutual learning, improve operational capabilities and strengthen efforts to combat transnational organised crime.

Van Schelven also emphasised the importance of ensuring efficient, transparent and secure trade processes that support economic growth while safeguarding national borders.

As a secondary highlight, the declaration establishes a framework for expanded cooperation through training programmes, knowledge sharing initiatives, technical exchanges and institutional partnerships.

The agreement also lays the groundwork for a joint work plan that will guide future collaboration in areas such as border efficiency, fair trade practices, supply chain security and the management of both legal and illegal cross-border movements of goods.

The Netherlands remains one of Nigeria’s most important trading partners in Europe, serving as a major gateway for Nigerian exports into the European market.

Increased customs cooperation is expected to improve trade procedures, reduce bottlenecks and enhance compliance with international standards.

For Nigeria, the partnership aligns with ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service aimed at modernising operations, improving revenue generation and strengthening border security through technology-driven solutions and international collaboration.

The new declaration is expected to further reinforce bilateral trade relations while enhancing the capacity of both countries to respond effectively to evolving global trade and security challenges.