By Oluyinka Onigbinde
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have formalized a Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters. The historic signing took place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, during the ongoing 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, signed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, Governor of the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Speaking after the ceremony, CGC Adeniyi described the agreement as a milestone in Nigeria’s customs diplomacy and a critical step toward strengthening international alliances to enhance border security and trade compliance.
“This agreement establishes a solid framework for operational collaboration in combating customs offences, sharing intelligence, and ensuring the fair and consistent application of customs laws,” Adeniyi stated. “It aligns with our broader commitment to modernising Customs, improving transparency, and advancing Nigeria’s integration into the global trade system.”
The agreement provides a formal structure for mutual administrative assistance between both nations, covering customs enforcement, classification, valuation, revenue protection, and coordinated border management. It is anchored on internationally recognised instruments, particularly the WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance (1953) and other conventions to which both countries are signatories.
Adeniyi further emphasised that the partnership goes beyond enforcement.
“This is not just about security; it’s about building smarter, faster, and more collaborative customs systems that foster innovation and mutual trust,” he said. “Nigeria is proud to stand with Saudi Arabia in driving the future of modern customs administration.”
On his part, Governor Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi welcomed the partnership, describing it as a timely alignment of shared goals.
“Saudi Arabia values this collaboration with Nigeria. Our customs agencies face similar challenges, and through this agreement, we will exchange critical knowledge, strengthen enforcement, and jointly protect our economies from illicit trade,” Abanmi remarked.
The agreement commits both countries to cooperation in investigations, intelligence sharing, data exchange, and the enforcement of prohibitions and restrictions as stipulated by their national laws. It is designed to last indefinitely, with provisions allowing for amendments or termination through diplomatic channels with mutual consent.
