The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in customs matters.
The signing took place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, as a side event during the ongoing 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels.
The agreement was signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for mutual administrative assistance between the two nations in customs enforcement, classification, valuation, revenue protection, and coordinated border management. It draws from internationally recognised instruments, particularly the WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance (1953), as well as other relevant conventions to which both countries are signatories.
Speaking on the development, CGC Adeniyi described it as a major leap in Nigeria’s strategic customs diplomacy and a reaffirmation of the Service’s commitment to building cross-border alliances for secure and efficient trade.
“This agreement provides a strong platform for operational synergy in tackling customs offences, sharing intelligence, and ensuring fair and accurate application of customs laws. It aligns with our broader efforts to modernise Customs, promote transparency, and deepen Nigeria’s integration into the global trade ecosystem,” he stated.
Adeniyi added: “The Service sees this partnership not just as a tool for enforcement, but as a mechanism to drive innovation and trust in customs administration. Nigeria is proud to join hands with Saudi Arabia in advancing a future where customs operations are smarter, faster, and more cooperative.”
On his part, Governor Abanmi expressed satisfaction with the bilateral engagement, describing the agreement as a reflection of shared priorities in trade facilitation and customs efficiency.
“Saudi Arabia welcomes this partnership with Nigeria. Our customs administrations face similar challenges, and through this agreement, we aim to share knowledge, strengthen enforcement, and safeguard our economies from illicit trade,” he said.
The agreement enables collaborative investigations, data sharing, and law enforcement, with provisions for amendments and termination through diplomatic channels between both countries.
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