The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation-driven border management and strengthened international cooperation as the 2026 World Customs Organisation, WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates.
The three-day conference, organised by the WCO under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” brings together Customs administrations, policymakers, technology providers and industry leaders from across the globe to explore how technology can enhance border security while facilitating legitimate trade.
Nigeria’s active participation at the high-level event underscores the Service’s ongoing trade modernisation agenda and alignment with global best practices in Customs administration, particularly in the areas of digitalisation, data exchange and intelligence-led enforcement.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council, highlighted the critical role of structured international collaboration in addressing emerging cross-border challenges.
According to the CGC, sustained engagement with global institutions such as INTERPOL, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) has proven essential in tracking transnational criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing emerging trade risks.
“Our experience has shown that robust engagement with international organisations creates opportunities for deeper cooperation, especially in tackling complex global trade challenges,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that enhanced data exchange and stronger governance frameworks are vital to addressing issues such as cargo diversion along transit corridors, stressing that the challenge is global and requires coordinated Customs-to-Customs collaboration.
“Diversion of goods in transit is not unique to Nigeria. Through WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks, Customs administrations can more effectively investigate offences and ensure goods reach their intended destinations,” he added.
The CGC also commended innovative solutions showcased at the conference, particularly a digital humanitarian corridor solution presented by the United Arab Emirates, describing it as a practical tool capable of improving the movement of relief consignments within a fully digitalised Customs environment.
Beyond technology deployment, Adeniyi emphasised that organisational agility requires the capacity to absorb change, respond to emerging risks and continuously adapt operational strategies.
He further stressed the importance of sustained investment in human capital, noting that many Customs administrations are undergoing generational transitions as experienced officers exit the system.
“Building the skills and capacity of the next generation of officers is critical to maximising the benefits of technology and sustaining long-term institutional effectiveness,” he said.
Also representing Nigeria, the General Manager of the Trade Modernisation Project, TMP, Ahmed Ogunsola, participated in a panel session titled “Above the Clouds: Enhancing Customs Security through Cloud Computing and Data Analytics,” where discussions focused on leveraging cloud infrastructure and advanced analytics to improve risk management, compliance and Customs security.
In addition, TMP’s software development lead, Nabil Mustapha, delivered a technical presentation on the evolution of national trade systems, highlighting secure system architectures, seamless user experience and outcome-driven solutions.
At the exhibition segment of the conference, the TMP showcased Nigeria’s progress in Customs modernisation, including the indigenous, custom-built B’odogwu application and other technology solutions designed to integrate stakeholders across the trade ecosystem and improve operational efficiency for Customs officers.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by senior UAE officials, including the Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, who highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, data analytics and smart monitoring systems in achieving secure and seamless trade.
The Director-General of Customs and Port Security, Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahaj Al Falasi, also outlined future pillars of Customs development anchored on technology, human capacity and inter-agency integration.
In his address, the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, stressed that Customs administrations remain central to global economic and social prosperity, noting that innovation is indispensable for managing evolving border threats, securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate trade.
The conference features panel discussions, case studies, live demonstrations and a Hackathon focused on risk management, scanning technologies, cybersecurity, e-commerce, cloud computing and sustainable Customs operations.
NCS and TMP’s active participation, including involvement in the Hackathon, reflects Nigeria’s resolve to modernise Customs operations, strengthen international partnerships and contribute meaningfully to global Customs technology solutions rather than merely adopting them.
