Nigeria, Netherlands sign pact to boost trade, strengthen border security
By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria and the Netherlands have signed a Joint Declaration aimed at strengthening customs cooperation to facilitate legitimate trade, improve border security and combat transnational organised crime.Africans & Diaspora
The agreement was signed in Brussels on June 24, 2026, by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of the Netherlands Customs Administration, Mrs. Nanette Van Schelven.
The pact is expected to deepen collaboration between the two customs administrations in intelligence sharing, customs modernisation, trade facilitation, compliance management, enforcement, and capacity building.
According to the Nigeria Customs Service, the agreement follows a series of high-level engagements between both countries, including the NCS leadership’s working visit to the Netherlands in October 2025 and a return visit by a Dutch customs delegation to Nigeria in March.
During the engagements, both sides explored areas of cooperation covering risk management, cargo clearance systems, border control, supply chain security, capacity development and the fight against illicit trade.
The two countries also acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic position as one of West Africa’s largest economies and a key trading partner of the Netherlands, stressing that stronger customs cooperation is essential to promoting legitimate trade while tackling illegal cross-border activities.
The declaration identified the trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, counterfeit goods, wildlife products and weapons as growing threats requiring coordinated international action.
Speaking after signing the declaration, Adeniyi said the partnership underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing evolving trade and border management challenges.
He noted that the agreement would strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness and support efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade.
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Describing the declaration as a major milestone, the Comptroller-General said it reflects the growing relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Netherlands Customs Administration.Africans & Diaspora
On her part, Van Schelven said both countries face similar challenges in an increasingly interconnected global trading environment, adding that closer collaboration would enhance operational capabilities, encourage mutual learning and improve efforts to combat transnational organised crime while promoting efficient and transparent trade.
Under the agreement, both customs administrations will collaborate through the exchange of expertise, training, knowledge sharing and the development of structured cooperation frameworks.
The declaration also provides a foundation for a joint work plan and future cooperation mechanisms aimed at improving border efficiency, strengthening supply chain security, promoting fair trade practices and addressing the challenges associated with both legal and illegal cross-border movement of goods.
