The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has held a high-level diplomatic engagement with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Abuja, reaffirming commitments to deepen bilateral trade ties and enhance customs cooperation between both countries.
The meeting, which took place on April 29, 2026, also highlighted growing collaboration in trade facilitation and customs administration, as both sides explored new pathways to strengthen economic relations.
Speaking during the engagement, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed, congratulated Adeniyi on his emergence as Chairman of the World Customs Organization, describing the development as a significant milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.
The envoy commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that sustained collaboration between both countries has yielded tangible gains, particularly in non-oil trade.
“We have achieved a substantial increase in non-oil trade from 2023 to 2025. Despite past challenges, this remains one of the strongest relationships we have maintained,” the ambassador stated.
He further disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been proposed to deepen cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and UAE Customs, especially in areas of trade facilitation and efficient customs processes.
In his response, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with the UAE, particularly in promoting ease of doing business.
“We are pleased to work with the UAE to showcase the true potential of trade. Our goal is to simplify processes, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, while leveraging diplomatic channels to foster closer collaboration between customs administrations,” he said.
The Customs boss noted that trade relations between Nigeria and the UAE have witnessed significant improvement in recent years, adding that the Service will continue to engage stakeholders to boost efficiency and support legitimate trade.
He also emphasized the importance of joint efforts in addressing activities that could undermine Nigeria’s global image, stressed that stronger cooperation would enhance security, build trust, and drive sustainable economic growth.
