NIGERIA: Adeniyi Leads Customs Delegation To Netherlands In Push For Smarter Trade, Stronger Borders

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

In a significant stride toward strengthening international trade relations, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, led a high-powered delegation to the Netherlands for a two-day bilateral working visit focused on deepening cooperation in trade facilitation, port efficiency, and border management.

The visit, which took place from October 29 to 31, 2025, featured a series of high-level technical sessions, strategic briefings, and institutional meetings with top Dutch Customs officials and trade experts.

The mission commenced at the Dutch Customs Headquarters in Rotterdam, where the Nigerian team was warmly received by senior officials of the Netherlands Customs Administration. The delegation attended a presentation by the National Tariff Classification Team (TeamLTT) led by Ed Tulp, which shed light on the Netherlands’ advanced Tariff and Origin procedures.

In another session, Dennis van der Wolk of the Customs National Tactical Centre (DLTC) presented an in-depth briefing on Risk Management, focusing on the Netherlands’ model for risk profiling, cargo monitoring, and tactical decision-making in Customs operations.

Speaking during the engagements, CGC Adeniyi commended the Dutch system for its structured and data-driven approach to classification and risk management. “The presentations have been particularly insightful in showing how systematic collaboration and data-driven analysis can enhance compliance and trade facilitation across borders,” he said.

He reaffirmed that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to adopting international best practices that balance enforcement with facilitation, ensuring legitimate trade thrives while protecting national revenue and security interests.

The delegation also visited Schiphol Airport, where officials of Schiphol Cargo made a detailed presentation on cargo clearance and classification processes at one of Europe’s busiest air freight hubs. Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan, who heads the NCS Tariff and Trade Department, described the experience as invaluable to Nigeria’s ongoing Customs modernisation efforts.

“The practical insights gained here will be instrumental in improving Nigeria’s cargo handling systems, especially within our modernisation drive,” Niagwan noted.

Further engagements were held at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted by the Director-General of International Trade, Mr. Machiel Zweers. Discussions centred on frameworks for technical assistance, digital trade systems, and knowledge exchange. Zweers described the visit as “a new chapter of institutional partnership built on trust and innovation.”

A wrap-up meeting at the Netherlands Ministry of Finance reviewed the mission’s key findings and explored mechanisms to formalise a collaborative agreement in areas such as tariff classification, risk management, and gender equity.

CGC Adeniyi hailed the engagements as “a constructive platform to consolidate lessons learned and translate them into practical frameworks that will strengthen Nigeria’s Customs modernisation programme and compliance culture.”

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Port of Rotterdam, where the delegation observed the port’s integrated logistics operations, cargo-tracking systems, and intermodal transport models.

“The tour was an eye-opener on how synergy between Customs and port authorities can create an enabling environment for seamless trade and revenue optimisation,” Adeniyi remarked.

DCG Niagwan added that “the Netherlands model demonstrates that inclusivity, data intelligence, and inter-agency trust are indispensable elements of an effective Customs system.”

The Netherlands visit, anchored on cooperation, mutual respect, and institutional learning, underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s strategic vision under CGC Adeniyi’s leadership to align with global standards and promote efficient, transparent trade systems.

Members of the NCS delegation included DCG Caroline Niagwan, Deputy Comptroller Etim Ibok (Special Assistant to the CGC), Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada (National Public Relations Officer), and Assistant Comptroller Lauretta Utubor (Team Lead of Nigeria’s Advance Ruling System), among others.