NIGERIA: Algerian Customs Chief Pledges Deeper Collaboration With Nigeria Customs Service

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Director-General of Algerian Customs, Major General Abdulhafid Bakhouche, has pledged stronger bilateral cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the areas of training, customs modernisation, and trade facilitation.

The commitment was made on 1 December 2025 when Major General Bakhouche received the delegation of Senior Course 13 from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, at the Algerian Customs Service Headquarters in Algiers. The visit marked the beginning of a four-day operational study tour.

Speaking during the courtesy call, the Algerian Customs chief assured the Nigerian officers of his administration’s full support.

“We are fully prepared to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service in strengthening training, enhancing modernisation, and improving the facilitation of customs procedures,” Major General Bakhouche said. He urged the visiting students to maximise the opportunity, noting that Algerian officers were on standby to provide guidance throughout the programme.

The delegation is led by the Commandant of the NCCSC, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebanki, who delivered a goodwill message from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

DCG Adebanki emphasised the need for greater collaboration among African customs administrations.

“African customs administrations must work together, especially in training, building trade bridges, and promoting modernisation that supports seamless trade across our continent,” she stated. “We must continue to see ourselves as brothers and partners, irrespective of differences in culture or background.”

She expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the team.

The 2025 study tour is themed “Customs Delivering on Commitment to Efficiency in Securing Oil Exports in Africa.” Over the next four days, the Nigerian officers will observe Algerian customs procedures for oil exports, with the aim of identifying best practices that can be adapted to enhance efficiency and security in Nigeria’s oil export operations.

The visit underscores the growing partnership between the customs services of both nations and reflects a broader push for continental cooperation in trade facilitation and border management.