The Nigeria Customs Service and Dutch Customs have struck a deal to make trade smoother and borders safer.
Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and Netherlands Customs Director-General Nanette Van Schelven signed a joint declaration in Brussels on June 24, 2026. The move follows exchange visits between both agencies in October 2025 and March 2026.
The agreement focuses on 4 key areas: modernizing customs processes, sharing intelligence, improving compliance, and joint enforcement. Both sides will also work together on risk management, faster cargo clearance, supply chain security, training, and tackling illicit trade.
Officials flagged growing threats like drug trafficking, counterfeit goods, illegal wildlife products, and weapons smuggling as reasons the partnership is needed.
“This partnership will strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness, and support our efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade,” Adeniyi said after signing.
Van Schelven noted that both countries face similar challenges in today’s interconnected trade system. She said closer cooperation will boost operational capacity and help curb transnational crime while keeping trade efficient and transparent.
Under the deal, Nigeria and the Netherlands will exchange expertise, conduct joint training, and create structured cooperation frameworks. They also agreed on a joint work plan to improve border efficiency and promote fair trade.
The Netherlands acknowledged Nigeria’s role as one of West Africa’s largest economies and a key trading partner.
