Nigeria, Netherlands customs strike intelligence-sharing pact to speed trade, fight smuggling

Nigeria and the Netherlands have signed an agreement to deepen cooperation between their customs administrations and step up intelligence sharing to tackle smuggling and organised cross-border crime.

The joint declaration, signed in Brussels on Wednesday by Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of Customs and Nanette van Schelven, director-general of the Netherlands Customs, establishes a framework for cooperation on customs modernisation, risk management, cargo clearance, supply chain security and capacity building.

Under the arrangement, both customs authorities will exchange expertise and intelligence, conduct joint training and develop structured cooperation on enforcement and trade facilitation. They also plan to draw up a joint work plan to guide future collaboration.

“The partnership will strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness, and support our collective efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade,” Adeniyi said during the signing ceremony.

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The agreement comes as Nigeria looks to improve the efficiency of its trade corridors while strengthening efforts to intercept illicit shipments moving through international supply chains.

The Netherlands is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners in Europe and serves as a major gateway for Nigerian exports into the European market through the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s busiest seaport.

Both customs administrations identified narcotics trafficking, counterfeit goods, illegal wildlife trade and arms smuggling among the growing cross-border threats requiring closer international cooperation.

Van Schelven said customs authorities in both countries face similar challenges as global supply chains become increasingly interconnected, adding that the partnership would strengthen operational capabilities while supporting more efficient and transparent trade processes.

The declaration builds on months of engagement between the two customs administrations, following a Nigerian Customs delegation’s visit to the Netherlands in October last year and a return visit by Dutch customs officials to Nigeria in March.

The agreement does not alter tariffs or introduce new trade rules but provides the institutional framework for closer operational cooperation between the two customs services as they seek to facilitate legitimate commerce and improve border security.