Nigeria Deepens Ties with China to Advance Tech-Driven Customs Training and Modernisation
Discussions with GACC covered areas such as training methodologies, modernization models, and technology-driven solutions in customs operations, reflecting China’s key role in Nigeria’s international trade network.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expanded its international collaboration efforts following a high-level engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) . The meeting, held in Beijing on July 25, 2025, brought together senior officials from both agencies to advance bilateral knowledge sharing and capacity development in customs administration.
The 21-member Nigerian delegation was led by Assistant Comptroller-General Oluyomi Adebakin, Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada. Discussions with GACC covered areas such as training methodologies, modernization models, and technology-driven solutions in customs operations, reflecting China’s key role in Nigeria’s international trade network.
The engagement showcased China’s structured customs training system, which incorporates virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches. In 2024 alone, the GACC conducted more than 8,000 physical training sessions and developed 360 online courses. Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs initiatives was also underscored, with over 200 African customs officers — including 89 from Nigeria — trained since 2023 in trade facilitation, anti-smuggling enforcement, food safety supervision, and digital port operations.
Both parties explored opportunities for technical exchange programmes, joint research, and officer exchange schemes focusing on regional port systems and cross-border intelligence cooperation. The dialogue also opened new pathways for Nigeria’s involvement in upcoming customs modernization courses and officer training programmes at the Shanghai Customs College.
The Platform Business Development Agency facilitated the engagement as part of broader efforts to drive customs reforms, improve ease of doing business, and enhance institutional capacity in line with regional trade integration goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening human capital, deepening intergovernmental partnerships, and modernizing operations to align with global standards.
