CGC Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, , and Netherlands Customs DG Nanette Van Schelven after signing the Joint Declaration in Brussels on June 24, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the Customs Administration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a Joint Declaration to strengthen collaboration on trade facilitation, border security, and the fight against transnational organised crime.
The declaration was signed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Brussels by Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs Nanette Van Schelven. The signing followed high-level engagements, including NCS’s working visit to the Netherlands in October 2025 and a Dutch delegation’s visit to Nigeria in March 2026.
According to the NCS, both administrations explored cooperation in risk management, cargo clearance systems, supply chain security, capacity development, and enforcement against illicit trade. The document recognises Nigeria’s position as a leading West African economy and key trading partner of the Netherlands, and notes threats from narcotics, counterfeit goods, wildlife products, and weapons that require coordinated responses.
“The Netherlands Customs have demonstrated the immense value of international cooperation in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges,” CGC Adeniyi said at the signing. He added that the partnership will strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness, and support efforts to secure supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade.
Mrs Van Schelven said both countries face similar challenges in an interconnected global trading environment. “Closer collaboration will promote mutual learning, strengthen operational capabilities, and improve efforts to tackle transnational organised crime while supporting efficient and transparent trade processes,” she stated.
The Joint Declaration commits both parties to deepening collaboration through the exchange of expertise, training, and knowledge sharing, and to developing structured cooperation frameworks. It also provides a foundation for a joint work plan to enhance border efficiency, promote fair trade practices, and address both legal and illegal cross-border movement of goods.
Signed by NCS National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia, on June 25, 2026, the agreement marks what the Service called “a significant milestone” in its international cooperation agenda.
