The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) have stepped up efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation on trade facilitation and border management, as both countries seek to harness growing trade volumes and enhance regulatory efficiency.
The development followed a high-level engagement between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his Malaysian counterpart, Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad, during Adeniyi’s visit to Malaysia on the sidelines of DSA Malaysia 2026.
The meeting came amid a significant rise in trade between both nations. Nigeria’s imports from Malaysia surged from ₦159.9 billion in 2020 to ₦716 billion in 2024, with total trade hitting approximately ₦1.82 trillion over the past five years.
Both customs chiefs held extensive discussions on strengthening institutional collaboration, modernising customs operations, and enhancing coordinated border management systems to improve efficiency and safeguard economic interests.
Adeniyi stressed the need for a more structured customs-to-customs relationship, noting Malaysia’s importance as a key trading partner, particularly in imports such as crude palm oil, refined palm olein, jet fuel, machinery, and other industrial inputs. He highlighted the critical role of customs administrations in facilitating legitimate trade while curbing illicit activities.
Despite longstanding trade relations, both parties acknowledged the absence of a formal legal framework guiding customs cooperation. To bridge this gap, they agreed to initiate steps toward establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the World Customs Organisation framework. The agreement is expected to strengthen trust, streamline procedures, and support reciprocal trade facilitation measures.
During the engagement, the Malaysian delegation showcased its evolving border management system, including the newly established Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), designed to integrate frontline border operations.
In response, the NCS highlighted its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other trade facilitation initiatives aimed at ensuring predictable cargo clearance, reducing costs, and improving compliance.
Both sides underscored the need for deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing, enforcement coordination, and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to combat illicit trade and transnational trafficking.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening both bilateral and multilateral partnerships as part of its broader modernisation drive. It expressed confidence that the outcomes of the engagement would enhance operational capacity, improve trade processes, and reinforce border security in support of Nigeria’s economic growth.
As part of his visit, Adeniyi also met with officials at Nigeria’s diplomatic mission and defence office in Malaysia, commending their efforts in promoting national interests and supporting Nigerians abroad.
