By Harriet Tornguvan
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to strengthening international cooperation, trade relations and institutional partnerships as part of efforts to enhance trade facilitation and border security.
Adeniyi made the pledge on Tuesday during a high-level diplomatic cocktail reception hosted by the NCS at its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
The event brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of diplomatic missions and senior government officials, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, members of the Customs Management team and other top officials from key security and government institutions.
Speaking at the gathering, the CGC expressed appreciation to Nigeria's international partners for their continued support in deepening bilateral relations and advancing global trade cooperation.
“We recognize and appreciate your contributions to strengthening diplomatic and trade relations. The Service remains committed to providing the support and services required for diplomatic missions to operate effectively in Nigeria,” Adeniyi said.
He disclosed that the NCS has expanded its international engagement through structured collaboration frameworks with more than 20 customs administrations across the world. According to him, the partnerships focus on knowledge sharing, capacity development and operational collaboration aimed at improving trade facilitation and border management.
The Customs boss stressed that cooperation among customs administrations, diplomatic missions and security agencies remains vital to achieving effective border security, increased revenue generation and enhanced economic competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected global trading environment.
Adeniyi noted that modern customs administration operates within a global system that demands continuous engagement, trust-building and collective responsibility among international stakeholders to address emerging challenges in trade, security and compliance management.
He further described the diplomatic reception as an important platform for dialogue, relationship building and the exploration of new opportunities for cooperation that would strengthen Nigeria's trade and diplomatic architecture.
The event ended with networking sessions and goodwill messages from participants, who commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its sustained efforts in fostering stronger institutional relationships and creating an enabling environment for international collaboration.
The reception is part of the Service's broader strategy to deepen international partnerships and enhance its role in supporting Nigeria's economic growth, trade development and national security objectives.
