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 milestone accord was finalized on June 26, 2025, during the 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Cooperation Council at the World Customs Organization (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, signed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while Governor Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi represented Saudi Arabia. The agreement represents a major diplomatic breakthrough and reflects the deepening ties between Africa’s largest economy and one of the Middle East’s most powerful trading nations.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, CGC Adeniyi hailed the agreement as a critical step in modernizing Nigeria’s customs infrastructure and enhancing cross-border cooperation. He emphasized that the new framework will boost operational synergy in combating customs violations, exchanging intelligence, and ensuring the fair application of international customs laws. Adeniyi underscored the importance of customs diplomacy, noting that the agreement will drive Nigeria’s integration into the global trade system and align with the Service’s reform-driven agenda.
“This accord signals a new era of strategic cooperation that strengthens our capacity to protect revenue, secure borders, and simplify trade processes,” Adeniyi said. “It’s not just about enforcement; it’s about innovation, trust, and laying the foundation for smarter customs operations.”
The agreement is anchored on international best practices, including the WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance (1953), and other global conventions to which both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are parties. It establishes a framework for bilateral cooperation on customs classification, valuation, coordinated border management, and enforcement of import-export controls. The deal also includes provisions for investigations, data exchange, and mutual legal support to curb illicit trade and smuggling.
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Saudi customs chief Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi welcomed the partnership, describing it as a timely response to shared challenges in international trade regulation. He noted that both nations face common threats from illicit trade and emphasized the need for transparency, joint enforcement, and information sharing to protect their respective economies.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to fostering customs excellence through global partnerships. This agreement with Nigeria is rooted in shared priorities, security, efficiency, and economic growth,” Abanmi stated.
The agreement is open-ended, allowing for amendments and termination through diplomatic channels, signaling long-term collaboration between the two nations. It comes at a time when global supply chains are being redefined and African countries like Nigeria are positioning themselves as emerging trade hubs.
With this strategic alignment, the Nigeria Customs Service continues to affirm its vision of modern customs practices and its readiness to collaborate with international partners in securing trade, boosting revenue, and promoting economic resilience.
