Customs strengthens bilateral ties with China GACC
By Matthew Denis
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its international collaboration through a high-level engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), aimed at enhancing knowledge exchange and building capacity in customs administration.
In a statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada on Sunday, the NCS confirmed that the meeting, held in Beijing on 25 July 2025, brought together senior officers from the Service and top officials of the GACC to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The 21-member Nigerian delegation was led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada.
Discussions took place with the GACC International Cooperation Division, the Training and Education Centre, and representatives of the Shanghai Customs College.
Talks focused on expanding cooperation in customs training methods, modernisation strategies, and technology-driven solutions, particularly as China remains a crucial partner in Nigeria’s international trade network.
Chinese Customs authorities showcased their advanced training framework, which includes virtual reality (VR), 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches. In 2024 alone, GACC delivered over 8,000 in-person training sessions and developed 360 online courses.
The dialogue also noted Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs development initiatives, with over 200 African customs officers, including 89 from Nigeria, receiving training since 2023 in areas such as trade facilitation, anti-smuggling enforcement, food safety supervision, and digital port operations.
Chinese officials commended the recent reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service and lauded the election of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, calling it a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s customs diplomacy.
Both sides agreed to explore technical exchange programmes, joint research, and officer exchange schemes focused on regional port systems and cross-border intelligence sharing.
The meeting also outlined new collaboration prospects, including Nigeria’s participation in forthcoming Customs Modernisation Courses and officer development training at Shanghai Customs College.
The Platform Business Development Agency facilitated the engagement, with its founder coordinating the session as part of a wider agenda to drive customs reform, enhance ease of doing business, and strengthen institutional capacity.
These initiatives support broader goals of harmonising customs procedures, encouraging knowledge sharing, and building integrated trade infrastructure critical to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The NCS, under Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, reiterated its commitment to developing human capital, deepening intergovernmental partnerships, and modernising operations in line with international best practices.