Nigeria, India Deepen Customs Cooperation at WCO Policy Meeting in Brussels

Nigeria, India Deepen Customs Cooperation at WCO Policy Meeting in Brussels

Brussels, Belgium – June 25, 2025 — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Indian Customs Administration have renewed their commitment to stronger bilateral cooperation on the sidelines of the 92nd Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Policy Commission, currently underway in Brussels.

At a high-level meeting held on Tuesday, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, led the Nigerian delegation in discussions with Mr. Surjit Bhujbal of India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), to evaluate ongoing collaboration under the Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) signed between both nations in November 2024.

The meeting focused on advancing cooperation in critical areas such as customs valuation, tackling abusive transfer pricing, and aligning customs procedures with tax system integration. Both sides also reviewed joint efforts to combat the importation of substandard pharmaceutical products, highlighting recent seizures in Nigeria as evidence of the effectiveness of enhanced intelligence sharing.

“Today’s dialogue builds on the solid framework we established with the signing of the CMAA last year,” CGC Adeniyi stated. “We are intensifying our efforts to address revenue-related risks, streamline system integration, and protect our citizens from harmful goods through collaborative enforcement.”

He added that Nigeria is keen on expanding the partnership through joint technical missions, capacity-building programmes, and robust data exchange mechanisms to strengthen revenue assurance and trade compliance.

“This partnership reflects our vision of a smarter, more connected, and collaborative customs system,” Adeniyi affirmed.

Mr. Bhujbal described Nigeria as a key strategic partner in Africa, noting that the CMAA has established a formal channel for technical collaboration, mutual assistance, and information exchange.

“We are particularly eager to expand cooperation in valuation, prevent revenue leakages through improved transfer pricing controls, and share India’s experience in aligning customs with tax administration,” he said.

The WCO Policy Commission serves as a global forum for customs leaders to shape international trade facilitation and enforcement strategies. Nigeria’s active role underscores its commitment to adopting international best practices and modernising its customs operations for improved efficiency and transparency.