The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advanced its international collaboration with China through a high-level strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), with 89 Nigerian customs officers having received training from the GACC since 2023.
This was disclosed in a press statement by Customs National Public Relations Officer ,Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullhai Maiwada on 27th July, 2025.
Held in Beijing on July 25, 2025, the bilateral meeting was aimed at enhancing knowledge exchange, capacity building, and technological advancement in customs administration between the two nations.
Led by Assistant Comptroller General Oluyomi Adebakin, who also serves as the Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, the 21-member Nigerian delegation engaged with senior officials from the GACC’s International Cooperation Division, the Training and Education Centre, and Shanghai Customs College. The discussions were centered around improving customs training methods, adopting cutting-edge technological tools, and aligning modernisation efforts with global standards particularly vital ,given China’s central role in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
Chinese customs authorities shared insights into their advanced training framework, which leverages tools like virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and hybrid learning platforms. In the past year alone, the GACC has conducted over 8,000 in-person training sessions and developed more than 360 online learning modules, showcasing a robust commitment to continuous professional development.
The visit also highlighted Nigeria’s active involvement in customs development programs spearheaded by China. Since 2023, over 200 African customs officers including 89 from Nigeria have received training in areas such as anti-smuggling operations, trade facilitation, food safety regulation, and digital port management.
The Chinese officials commended Nigeria’s ongoing customs reforms and lauded the recent election of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council. This was described as a testament to Nigeria’s rising influence on the global customs stage.
Both countries expressed a strong interest in expanding collaborative initiatives, including joint research, technical exchange programmes, and officer development schemes. Notably, future collaborations will see Nigerian officers participating in upcoming modernisation courses at Shanghai Customs College.
The engagement, coordinated by the Platform Business Development Agency, is part of a broader initiative to drive institutional reforms, ease trade processes, and strengthen the human capital of the NCS. It aligns with the larger vision of integrating trade infrastructure across Africa and supporting the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service reaffirms its dedication to modernising customs operations and fostering impactful international partnerships to enhance trade efficiency and security.
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