Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened its strategic partnership with the United Kingdom’s HM Revenue and Customs to improve trade facilitation and digital border management.
The agreement followed a high-level meeting in London on March 18, 2026, during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK. The talks were led by Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi and HMRC’s Megan Shaw.
Discussions focused on modernizing customs operations, improving data transparency, and expanding operational cooperation to enhance efficiency across the Nigeria–UK trade corridor.
Adeniyi said effective customs cooperation is vital for economic growth. “Customs administrations are the frontline institutions ensuring trade flows are transparent, secure, and mutually beneficial,” he said.
Both sides acknowledged gaps in bilateral trade data. UK exports to Nigeria in 2024 were valued at £1.7 billion, compared with £504 million in Nigeria’s recorded imports.
To address this, the agencies plan to establish a pre-arrival data exchange framework to improve risk management and compliance monitoring.
The engagement also highlighted the UK’s AI-driven trade tools and digital verification systems and led to the creation of a Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Framework, technical capacity-building initiatives, and a joint engagement mechanism under the Nigeria–UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
The NCS said the partnership will support Nigeria’s broader modernization agenda, enhance operational capacity, and improve trade facilitation, contributing to economic reform under the Renewed Hope programme.
