ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria and the Netherlands have entered into a new trade facilitation agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation between their customs administrations.
Under the agreement, the Nigeria Customs Service and its counterpart in the Kingdom of the Netherlands will collaborate to facilitate trade, enhance border security, build institutional capacity and combat transnational organised crime.
According to a statement issued by the Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the agreement was reached on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Brussels by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs Nanette van Schelven.
READ ALSO:FUTD Launches Trans-Saharan Trade Research Initiative
Speaking on the development, Adeniyi said the Netherlands Customs Service has demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in addressing emerging challenges in trade and border management.
He noted that the partnership would improve intelligence sharing, strengthen capacity development, enhance enforcement efficiency and support joint efforts to secure international supply chains while promoting legitimate trade.
The Comptroller-General described the declaration as a major achievement in the Customs Service’s international cooperation drive and a testament to the strong relationship built between both customs administrations over the years.
On her part, the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs Nanette van Schelven, said both countries face similar challenges in an increasingly interconnected global trading system.
She stated that stronger collaboration would encourage knowledge sharing, enhance operational effectiveness and improve efforts to combat transnational organised crime while supporting efficient and transparent trade processes.