Nigeria Customs Service and India have reaffirmed their commitment to closer customs collaboration during high-level bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 92nd Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Policy Commission in Brussels.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, led the Nigerian delegation in a strategic meeting with Mr Surjit Bhujbal, a senior official from India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
The dialogue centred on progress under the Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA), which was signed by both nations in November 2024 during the Indian Prime Minister’s state visit to Nigeria.
The talks focused on key areas of mutual interest, including customs valuation, the regulation of transfer pricing, and the integration of customs and tax systems.
Both parties also addressed growing international concern over the proliferation of substandard pharmaceutical products, with the two countries commending the tangible results of improved intelligence sharing and joint enforcement actions — including recent high-profile seizures in Nigeria.
“Today’s dialogue is a continuation of the strong foundations laid with the signing of the CMAA,” said Comptroller-General Adeniyi. “We are intensifying efforts to tackle undervaluation, abusive transfer pricing, and to enhance the integration between customs and tax administrations. The success we’ve seen in intercepting substandard pharmaceuticals also speaks to the effectiveness of our joint efforts in protecting public health.”
Adeniyi emphasised Nigeria’s interest in broadening the partnership through joint technical missions, capacity-building programmes, and enhanced data-sharing mechanisms.
These initiatives, he said, would support more robust risk management frameworks, increase revenue assurance, and bolster controls over cross-border trade.
“This partnership reflects our vision of a smarter, collaborative, and globally connected customs administration,” Adeniyi added.
Echoing the sentiment, Bhujbal described Nigeria as a key strategic partner in Africa.
“The CMAA has provided a formal structure for mutual assistance, the exchange of information, and collaborative capacity building,” he noted. “We are eager to share India’s experience in integrating customs and tax systems and to intensify our cooperation on valuation issues to prevent revenue leakage through illicit transfer pricing.”
The WCO Policy Commission brings together customs leaders from around the world to chart the course for global trade facilitation, enforcement strategies, and policy development. Nigeria’s active role in the forum underscores its commitment to aligning with international standards and advancing the modernisation of its customs operations.
