The Nigeria Customs Service is poised to enhance its enforcement capabilities and intelligence operations following the signing of a pivotal bilateral Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Belarus on Friday, June 27, 2025.

According to a statement issued by the NCS via its official Twitter handle, now X on Saturday, the agreement, which focused on cooperation and mutual assistance in Customs matters, marks a strategic step in Nigeria’s global customs diplomacy.

The formal signing ceremony occurred as a side event during the ongoing 145th/146th sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organisation Headquarters in Brussels.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, represented the Nigerian government, while Chairman of the State Customs Committee, Mr. Vladimir Orlovsky, signed on behalf of the Republic of Belarus.

In the statement, CG Adeniyi underscored the importance of the agreement, describing it as a vital instrument to broaden the Service’s international engagement and reform agenda. He highlighted key areas of focus, including improved information exchange, coordinated enforcement actions, and capacity building for customs personnel.

The agreement establishes a comprehensive legal framework for mutual administrative assistance. This covers crucial aspects such as revenue protection, ensuring accurate classification and valuation of goods, enforcing prohibitions, and conducting joint operations to combat smuggling and various forms of customs fraud.

The MoU is firmly rooted in established international instruments, including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), the CITES Convention, and the 1953 WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance.

CGC Adeniyi further emphasised that this development aligns with the NCS’s increasing adoption of an intelligence-led enforcement model. This approach is consistent with Nigeria’s strategic objective of becoming a hub for innovative and compliant African customs operations.

Adeniyi articulated the broader vision behind the partnership: “Beyond enforcement, this is a framework for learning, innovation, and solidarity among customs administrations. Nigeria is proud to stand alongside Belarus in advancing collaborative customs solutions that protect our borders and promote legitimate commerce.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus, Mr. Vladimir Orlovsky, lauded the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service for actively pursuing international partnerships to address shared challenges.

He expressed anticipation for fruitful exchanges and successful joint implementation of the agreement’s provisions. “This MoU establishes the foundation for strategic engagement between our administrations. Our shared values in safeguarding trade and combating illicit activity will be the bedrock of this relationship,” Mr. Orlovsky remarked.

Under the terms of the newly signed agreement, both the Nigeria Customs Service and the State Customs Committee of Belarus are committed to collaborating on joint investigations, providing training opportunities, facilitating real-time intelligence sharing, and applying control procedures in strict adherence to their respective national laws. This partnership is expected to bolster trade security and efficiency between the two nations and contribute to global efforts against illicit trade.