The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening legitimate trade relations with China while intensifying efforts to combat illicit trade, wildlife trafficking and illegal mining activities between both countries.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known on Wednesday during a meeting with Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to China, Abdulrahman Dambazau, at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi said the renewed collaboration was aimed at improving bilateral trade operations, tightening enforcement mechanisms and ensuring a more secure and transparent economic relationship between Nigeria and China, which he described as Nigeria’s largest trading partner.
The Customs boss noted that Dambazau’s military and leadership background positioned him well for the diplomatic assignment in Beijing, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between both nations.
According to Adeniyi, discussions during the visit focused on strategic trade relations, regulatory compliance and the operations of Chinese companies doing business in Nigeria. He revealed that some Chinese firms operating in Nigeria are already participating in the Service’s Authorised Economic Operator programme due to their compliance with international trade standards and customs regulations.
He further disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service currently maintains a Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement with the General Administration of Customs of China to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen bilateral customs cooperation.
“Stronger engagement and continuous communication between the NCS and China will ensure more effective trade facilitation and mutual economic benefit,” Adeniyi stated.
The Comptroller-General stressed that the Service cannot function in isolation, highlighting the need for collaboration with relevant government agencies to harmonise operations and improve efficiency in trade facilitation. He added that trade statistics from both countries should align more accurately, noting that discrepancies in trade data analysis must be addressed through closer cooperation.
On enforcement, Adeniyi said the Service was working to ensure Nigeria does not become a transit point for illegal wildlife trafficking and other transnational crimes. He also called for stronger intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts to curb illegal mining and strengthen border surveillance.
In his remarks, Dambazau thanked the Customs leadership for the reception accorded him, describing the visit as his first official engagement with the Service since his appointment as Ambassador-Designate to China.
He said closer cooperation with the Customs Service would help him effectively manage Nigeria’s trade and diplomatic interests in China while maximising the economic benefits of the bilateral relationship.
Dambazau also highlighted the strategic role of Customs in supporting trade under zero-tariff arrangements for African countries, stressing the importance of reducing cargo clearance timelines, improving certification procedures and tightening regulations around imports from China.
“Stronger collaboration and continuous support from the NCS will ensure smoother trade processes and the full realisation of Nigeria and China trade relations,” he said.
