The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken another decisive step in its international engagement strategy with the signing of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters with the Republic of Belarus.
The agreement was concluded on Friday, June 27, 2025, as a key side event during the ongoing 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organization (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
The MoU was formally signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Mr. Vladimir Orlovsky, Chairman of the State Customs Committee, representing the Republic of Belarus.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, Comptroller-General Adeniyi described the agreement as a critical milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to broaden its customs diplomacy and align with global economic and enforcement standards.
“This partnership represents a strategic investment in mutual trade facilitation, intelligence sharing, and capacity development. It reflects our commitment to modernising customs operations and unlocking new frontiers for secure and legitimate trade,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the MoU provides a legal framework for cooperation on a range of customs matters, including the prevention, investigation, and suppression of customs offences; accurate classification and valuation of goods; enforcement of trade prohibitions; and revenue protection.
Adeniyi further stressed that the collaboration is grounded in international conventions such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the 1953 WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance.
According to the CGC, the agreement marks a shift toward an intelligence-led model of enforcement, in line with the NCS’s transformation agenda and its goal of positioning Nigeria as a hub for smart and compliant customs operations in Africa.
“Beyond enforcement, this MoU is a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and strategic alignment between our customs administrations. It signifies Nigeria’s readiness to embrace global best practices while safeguarding national economic interests,” he added.
On his part, Mr. Vladimir Orlovsky commended the forward-looking approach of the Nigeria Customs Service and expressed optimism that the agreement would catalyse deeper cooperation in trade and enforcement between both countries.
“This MoU lays the groundwork for a new era of bilateral collaboration. We share a common vision of secure trade corridors and effective customs controls. Belarus looks forward to meaningful exchanges in training, technology, and joint operations,” Orlovsky stated.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nigeria and Belarus will engage in joint investigations, real-time intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement activities, and customs capacity building in accordance with their respective national laws.
The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated that the agreement aligns with its broader agenda to facilitate trade, attract foreign investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s standing in the global customs community.
