Nigeria Customs Partners China on Smarter Ports, Officer Training
In a renewed drive to bolster international collaboration and enhance customs administration, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has entered into a strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). The high-level meeting, held on July 25 in Beijing, focused on bilateral knowledge exchange, capacity development, and modernization of customs processes.
The 21-member Nigerian delegation was led by Assistant Comptroller-General Oluyomi Adebakin, Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada. The delegation engaged top officials from GACC’s International Cooperation Division, Training and Education Centre, and the Shanghai Customs College to explore improved customs training models and technology-driven operational reforms.
Key areas of discussion included China’s advanced customs training systems, which utilize virtual reality (VR), 5G technologies, and blended e-learning techniques. In 2024 alone, the GACC recorded over 8,000 physical training sessions and developed 360 online courses, showcasing its robust approach to human capital development.
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Nigeria’s delegation also reviewed its involvement in China-led capacity-building initiatives. Since 2023, over 200 African customs officers—89 from Nigeria—have received training in critical areas such as trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, food safety supervision, and digital port management.
The Chinese authorities lauded Nigeria’s ongoing customs reforms and commended the election of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council. They described the development as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s customs diplomacy and leadership on the global stage.
The two parties expressed readiness to initiate joint research projects, officer exchange schemes, and technical cooperation focused on port system development and cross-border intelligence sharing. Nigeria was also invited to participate in upcoming Customs Modernisation Courses and officer development programs at the Shanghai Customs College.
The engagement, coordinated by the Platform Business Development Agency, aligns with broader objectives of customs sector reform, institutional capacity building, and promoting the ease of doing business. It also supports the vision of a harmonised African trade environment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Under the leadership of Comptroller-General Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service reiterated its commitment to strengthening intergovernmental partnerships and modernising operations to meet international standards.
By PRNigeria
