By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has renewed its commitment to technology-driven trade facilitation and stronger international cooperation as the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition opened in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the conference is organised under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation.” It brings together Customs administrations, policymakers, technology providers and industry leaders to explore how innovation can enhance border security while supporting legitimate global trade.
Nigeria’s participation underscores the Service’s ongoing trade modernisation agenda and alignment with global best practices, particularly in digitalisation, data exchange and intelligence-led enforcement.
Speaking during a high-level panel session, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council stressed the importance of structured international partnerships in addressing emerging cross-border threats.
He noted that collaboration with organisations such as INTERPOL, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union remains vital in tracking criminal networks, safeguarding intellectual property and managing evolving trade risks.
Adeniyi highlighted the global nature of cargo diversion challenges along transit corridors, calling for coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation through WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks to ensure goods reach their intended destinations.
The CGC also praised innovative solutions showcased at the event, including a UAE-developed digital humanitarian corridor designed to improve the efficient movement of relief consignments.
“If scaled across the global Customs community, it can significantly enhance our ability to move humanitarian goods efficiently within a fully digitalised environment,” he said.
He further explained that organisational agility in Customs goes beyond deploying modern systems, requiring the ability to absorb change, respond to emerging risks and continuously adapt operational strategies.
While commending the progress made by UAE Customs, Adeniyi stressed that sustainable modernisation must also be backed by investment in human capital, especially as many administrations undergo generational transitions with experienced officers exiting service.
He emphasised that equipping the next generation of officers with the right skills is critical to maximising technology’s benefits and sustaining institutional effectiveness.
Nigeria was also represented by the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Team. The General Manager of TMP, Ahmed Ogunsola, contributed to discussions on cloud computing and data analytics as tools for strengthening risk management and compliance.
In addition, TMP’s software development lead, Nabil Mustapha, delivered a tech presentation on the evolution of national trade systems, focusing on secure architecture, seamless user experience and measurable outcomes.
At the exhibition, TMP showcased Nigeria’s progress in modernising Customs operations, including the indigenous B’odogwu application and other technology solutions aimed at integrating stakeholders within the trade ecosystem and easing processes for officers and operators.
The conference’s opening ceremony featured remarks by senior UAE officials who highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, smart monitoring systems and data-driven governance in achieving secure and seamless trade.
WCO Secretary-General Ian Saunders also reiterated that Customs administrations remain central to global economic prosperity, noting that innovation is essential for managing evolving border threats, securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate commerce.
The three-day event features panel discussions, case studies, live demonstrations and exhibitions on risk management, scanning technologies, cybersecurity, e-commerce, cloud infrastructure and sustainable border operations.
The active participation of NCS and TMP Limited reflects Nigeria’s continued resolve to modernise its Customs administration, strengthen global partnerships and deploy innovation to achieve efficient, secure and internationally aligned trade facilitation.
Beyond its exhibition presence, the Nigerian delegation also joined the conference Hackathon, collaborating with global experts to develop practical solutions to emerging border and trade challenges showcasing Nigeria’s growing capacity to contribute to global Customs technology innovation rather than merely adopt it.
