The Nigeria Customs Service and the Customs Administration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a joint declaration aimed at strengthening trade facilitation, border security, capacity building, and the fight against transnational organised crime.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Brussels by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Nanette Van Schelven. It follows earlier high-level engagements between both administrations in the Netherlands and Nigeria.
According to the declaration, both customs authorities will deepen cooperation in customs modernisation, intelligence sharing, compliance management, enforcement cooperation, risk management, cargo clearance systems, border control, and supply chain security.
The two sides also identified growing concerns over narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, counterfeit goods, wildlife products, weapons, and other illicit cross-border activities. They said the threats require coordinated international responses and stronger institutional collaboration.
Adeniyi said the partnership underscores the value of international cooperation in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges. He added that it would improve intelligence sharing, strengthen enforcement, and support efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade.
Van Schelven said both countries face similar challenges in an increasingly connected global trading environment. She noted that closer collaboration would promote mutual learning, strengthen operational capacity, and improve efforts to combat transnational organised crime while supporting efficient and transparent trade.
The declaration also provides for the exchange of expertise, training, knowledge sharing, and the development of structured cooperation frameworks. It is expected to form the basis for a joint work plan that will enhance border efficiency, promote fair trade practices, and improve the management of both legal and illegal cross-border movement of goods.