The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has held a high-level engagement with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nigeria to deepen bilateral trade relations and enhance customs cooperation between both countries.
The meeting, held on April 29, 2026, also saw the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed, congratulate Adeniyi on his emergence as Chairman of the World Customs Organization, describing it as a significant achievement for Nigeria and the African continent.
Ambassador Saeed commended the leadership of the Customs boss, noting that collaboration between the NCS and UAE authorities has yielded tangible results, particularly in boosting non-oil trade between 2023 and 2025.
He revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been initiated to further strengthen cooperation in trade facilitation and customs administration, adding that the partnership remains one of the most productive engagements the UAE has maintained with Nigeria.
Responding, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the continued support and reaffirmed the NCS commitment to expanding trade efficiency and strengthening economic ties with the UAE.
“We are happy to work with the UAE to show the true nature of trade. We also want to make trade easier, especially for SMEs, and use your embassy to bring Customs administrations together,” he said.
The Customs boss noted that trade relations between both countries have improved significantly in recent years, stressing that the Service will continue engaging stakeholders to promote legitimate trade and improve operational efficiency.
He also highlighted the importance of joint efforts in addressing activities that undermine Nigeria’s image abroad, noting that stronger cooperation would enhance security, trust, and sustainable economic growth between both nations.
