The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its push for technology-driven trade facilitation and international cooperation at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The three-day conference, which began on January 28, 2026, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), is holding under the theme, “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation.” It brings together Customs administrations, policymakers, technology providers and industry leaders from across the globe.
Nigeria’s participation underscored the Service’s commitment to trade modernisation and alignment with global best practices in digitalisation, data exchange and intelligence-led enforcement.
Speaking during a panel session, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) and Chairperson of the WCO Council, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of structured international collaboration in tackling emerging cross-border challenges.
According to him, strong engagement with international bodies such as INTERPOL, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union enhances cooperation in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing trade risks.
Adeniyi noted that improved data exchange and governance frameworks are critical in addressing challenges such as cargo diversion along transit corridors.
“Diversion of goods in transit is a global issue that requires coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation through existing WCO instruments and mutual assistance frameworks,” he said.
The CGC also commended innovative solutions showcased at the conference, including a digital humanitarian corridor developed by the UAE to enhance the movement of relief consignments.
He stressed that organisational agility goes beyond deploying technology, adding that Customs administrations must be able to adapt to change, respond to risks and sustain reforms.
Adeniyi further highlighted the importance of investing in human capital, especially as many Customs services undergo generational transitions.
Representing the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), the General Manager, Ahmed Ogunsola, spoke on the use of cloud computing and data analytics to strengthen risk management and compliance, while Nabil Mustapha delivered a tech presentation on secure and user-friendly national trade systems.
At the exhibition, TMP showcased Nigeria’s indigenous B’odogwu application and other digital tools designed to integrate stakeholders and improve operational efficiency.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by senior UAE officials and the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, who stressed that innovation remains central to securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate trade.
The conference included panel discussions, case studies, live demonstrations and a Hackathon, where the NCS and TMP teams collaborated with global experts to develop practical solutions to border management challenges.
Analysts said Nigeria’s active participation reflected its growing ambition to modernise Customs operations, strengthen international partnerships and position itself as a key player in global trade facilitation.
