By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening legitimate trade relations with China while intensifying efforts to curb illicit economic activities threatening bilateral commerce.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a meeting with Nigeria’s Ambassador Designate to China, retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau, at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi described China as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and said the meeting focused on strategies to improve trade relations, support lawful business operations, and enhance customs cooperation between both countries.
He noted that Dambazau’s military and leadership background positioned him well to advance Nigeria’s diplomatic and trade interests in China, expressing confidence in his capacity to strengthen the country’s mission.
According to the Customs boss, the Service is prioritising stronger bilateral engagement to facilitate trade and ensure greater alignment in economic activities involving Chinese firms operating in Nigeria.
He revealed that several Chinese companies have already been enlisted under the NCS Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, a framework designed to promote compliance and reward companies that adhere to international trade standards and regulatory requirements.
The Customs Boss further disclosed that the NCS maintains a Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), a partnership aimed at strengthening customs administration and promoting legitimate trade between both countries.
He stressed that the Service could not function in isolation and emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration to harmonise operations and improve trade facilitation.
The Comptroller-General also underscored the need for accurate trade data, insisting that trade figures released by Nigeria and China should correspond without significant discrepancies.
“Stronger engagement and continuous communication between the NCS and China will ensure more effective trade facilitation and mutual economic benefit,” Adeniyi said.
On enforcement, the Customs chief reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to prevent the country from becoming a transit route for illegal wildlife trafficking and called for enhanced intelligence sharing and cooperation with Chinese authorities.
He also advocated stronger collaboration to combat illegal mining activities, noting that improved border surveillance and data-driven operations were crucial to tackling cross-border crimes.
In his remarks, Ambassador-Designate Dambazau expressed appreciation for the reception accorded him, describing the visit as his first official engagement at the Customs Headquarters.
He said closer cooperation with the NCS would ease his diplomatic assignment and help maximise the benefits of Nigeria-China relations.
Dambazau highlighted the strategic role of Customs in advancing trade under zero-tariff arrangements for African countries and called for faster cargo clearance, stronger certification procedures, and tighter regulation of imports from China.
He warned against the misuse of trade policies for unlawful purposes, stressing the importance of maintaining integrity within bilateral trade systems.
“Stronger collaboration and continuous support from the NCS will ensure smoother trade processes and the full realisation of Nigeria and China trade relations,” he said.
