Nigeria Customs Deepens Global Push for Innovation-Driven Trade Facilitation

Nigeria Customs Deepens Global Push for Innovation-Driven Trade Facilitation

.....As CGC Adeniyi, Trade Modernisation Team Engage Global Customs Leaders in Abu Dhabi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to technology-driven border management and stronger international collaboration as the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition commenced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The three-day conference, hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), is organised under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation.” It brings together Customs administrations, technology providers, policymakers and industry leaders from across the globe to explore how innovation can enhance border security while facilitating legitimate trade.

Nigeria’s participation underscores the Service’s ongoing trade modernisation agenda and its alignment with global best practices, particularly in digitalisation, data exchange and intelligence-led enforcement.

Speaking during a high-level panel session, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi—who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council—emphasised the critical role of structured international cooperation in addressing emerging cross-border challenges.

“Our experience has shown that robust engagement with international organisations such as INTERPOL, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union creates opportunities for deeper cooperation, particularly in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing emerging trade risks,” Adeniyi said.

He noted that enhanced data exchange and strong governance frameworks remain central to tackling global issues such as cargo diversion along transit corridors.

“Diversion of goods in transit is not unique to Nigeria; it is a global challenge that requires coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation. Through existing WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks, Customs administrations can more effectively investigate offences and ensure goods reach their intended destinations,” he added.

The CGC also commended innovative solutions showcased at the conference, highlighting a digital humanitarian corridor developed by the United Arab Emirates as a practical model for improving the movement of relief consignments.

“If scaled across the global Customs community, this solution can significantly enhance the efficient movement of humanitarian goods within a fully digitalised environment,” he said.

Adeniyi further stressed that organisational agility goes beyond deploying technology, noting that it requires the ability to absorb change, respond to emerging risks and continuously adapt operational strategies. While commending the progress recorded by UAE Customs, he emphasised that sustainable modernisation must be supported by deliberate investment in human capital.

“Customs administrations are undergoing generational transitions as experienced officers exit the system. Building the skills and capacity of the next generation is critical to maximising the benefits of technology and sustaining institutional effectiveness,” he stated.

Representing the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), the General Manager, Ahmed Ogunsola, participated in a panel session titled “Above the Clouds: Enhancing Customs Security through Cloud Computing and Data Analytics,” where discussions centred on the use of cloud infrastructure and advanced analytics to improve risk management, compliance and security.

Also from the TMP team, software development lead Nabil Mustapha delivered a technical presentation on the evolution of national trade systems, focusing on secure system architecture, seamless user experience and measurable outcomes.

At the exhibition, TMP showcased Nigeria’s Customs modernisation efforts through a dedicated booth, highlighting indigenous solutions such as the custom-built B’odogwu application and other digital platforms designed to integrate stakeholders across the trade ecosystem and enhance operational efficiency.

The conference opening ceremony featured remarks by senior UAE officials, including the Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, and the Director-General of Customs and Port Security, Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahaj Al Falasi, who both emphasised the role of artificial intelligence, data analytics, human capacity development and inter-agency integration in future Customs operations.

In his address, the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, underscored the central role of Customs administrations in global economic and social prosperity, noting that innovation remains essential for managing evolving border threats, securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate trade.

The conference features panel discussions, case studies, live demonstrations and an exhibition showcasing next-generation solutions in areas such as risk management, scanning technologies, cybersecurity, e-commerce, cloud computing and sustainable Customs operations.

Beyond its exhibition presence, the NCS and TMP teams also participated actively in the conference Hackathon, collaborating with global Customs and technology experts to develop innovation-led solutions to emerging trade and border challenges—further demonstrating Nigeria’s growing capacity to contribute meaningfully to global Customs technology advancement.