In a renewed move to boost global partnerships and reform its operational capabilities, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened strategic engagement with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), focusing on knowledge exchange, modernization, and training collaboration.
At a high-level meeting held in Beijing on July 25, 2025, senior officials from both countries discussed enhanced cooperation in customs training, the adoption of advanced technologies, and the implementation of modern administrative models.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Assistant Comptroller-General Oluyomi Adebakin, Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, comprised 21 senior officers.
The Chinese authorities showcased their highly structured training system, which leverages cutting-edge tools such as virtual reality (VR), 5G-enabled platforms, and blended e-learning methodologies.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, the GACC conducted over 8,000 physical training sessions and launched 360 online courses in 2024 alone—demonstrating a strong commitment to capacity development.
The engagement also spotlighted Nigeria’s growing involvement in China’s international customs training programmes. Since 2023, more than 200 African customs officers—including 89 Nigerians—have received training in thematic areas such as trade facilitation, food safety, anti-smuggling operations, and digital port supervision.
China’s customs authorities commended Nigeria’s sweeping reforms and praised the emergence of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council. Both sides described the development as a milestone in Nigeria’s customs diplomacy.
They pledged to build on the momentum through new technical exchange initiatives, joint research efforts, and collaborative officer development schemes focused on regional trade and cross-border security.
A new wave of collaboration was also set in motion, with Nigeria scheduled to participate in upcoming customs modernization courses and officer training sessions at the Shanghai Customs College.
The initiative—facilitated by the Platform Business Development Agency—forms part of a broader agenda aimed at driving customs sector reform, improving the ease of doing business, and strengthening institutional capacity in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The NCS reiterated its commitment to international best practices, intergovernmental cooperation, and the full digitization of customs operations.
“With a growing footprint in global customs leadership and a focused drive toward institutional transformation, the Nigeria Customs Service is laying a solid foundation for trade competitiveness, regional integration, and national development,” the statement added.
