The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has hosted a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening international cooperation, trade relations, and institutional partnerships.
The event, which was held on the rooftop of the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of missions, and senior government officials. It also attracted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu; members of the Customs Management; and other senior officials from key security and government institutions.
While welcoming the diplomatic community, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, expressed appreciation for the sustained support of international partners in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing global trade cooperation with Nigeria.
“We recognise and appreciate your contributions to strengthening diplomatic and trade relations. The Service remains committed to providing the support and services required for diplomatic missions to operate effectively in Nigeria,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the Service continues to deepen its global footprint through structured collaboration frameworks with over twenty customs administrations worldwide, focusing on knowledge exchange, capacity development, and operational synergy aimed at improving trade facilitation and border management.
Adeniyi stated that sustained collaboration among customs administrations, diplomatic missions, and security agencies remains critical to achieving efficient border security, enhanced revenue generation, and improved economic competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.
He emphasised that modern customs administration now operates within a highly interconnected global system, requiring continuous engagement, trust-building, and shared responsibility among international partners to address emerging challenges in trade, security, and compliance management.
The Customs boss added that platforms such as the diplomatic reception provide valuable opportunities for dialogue, relationship-building, and the exploration of new areas of cooperation that will further strengthen Nigeria’s trade and diplomatic architecture.
The reception concluded with networking opportunities and expressions of goodwill from participants, who praised the NCS for its role in deepening institutional cooperation and creating an enabling environment for international partnership and engagement.
