The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its counterpart from the Republic of Belarus have signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in customs-related matters.
The agreement was reached on Friday, June 27, 2025, on the sidelines of the ongoing 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels.
The MoU was signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and Mr. Vladimir Orlovsky, Chairman of the State Customs Committee, representing the Government of the Republic of Belarus.
The agreement provides a legal framework for mutual administrative assistance in areas such as revenue protection, accurate classification and valuation, prohibition enforcement, and joint operations targeting smuggling and customs fraud. It is anchored in key international instruments, including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), the CITES Convention, and the 1953 WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance.
Speaking on the development, CGC Adeniyi described it as a strategic tool to expand the Service’s global customs diplomacy and reform blueprint, particularly in information exchange, joint enforcement, and capacity building.
“We are forging a new chapter in international cooperation, one rooted in mutual trust, operational efficiency, and proactive intelligence. This partnership with Belarus strengthens our ability to combat transnational threats, facilitate secure trade, and modernise procedures in line with global best practices,” he stated.
Adeniyi emphasised that the development reflects the growing adoption of an intelligence-led enforcement model, consistent with the NCS‘s goal of positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovative and compliant African customs operations.
“Beyond enforcement, this is a framework for learning, innovation, and solidarity among customs administrations. Nigeria is proud to stand alongside Belarus in advancing collaborative customs solutions that protect our borders and promote legitimate commerce,” he added.
On his part, Mr. Orlovsky commended the leadership of the NCS for embracing international partnerships to tackle common challenges, expressing optimism that Belarusians look forward to fruitful exchanges and effective joint implementation.
“This MoU establishes the foundation for strategic engagement between our administrations. Our shared values in safeguarding trade and combating illicit activity will be the bedrock of this relationship,” he said.
The agreement enables collaboration on joint investigations, training, intelligence sharing, and control procedures, in accordance with national laws.
