Nigeria, UAE Move to Expand Trade, Customs Cooperation
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening trade relations and enhancing customs cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a high-level diplomatic engagement in Abuja.
Adeniyi met with officials of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nigeria on April 29, 2026, where both sides expressed readiness to expand bilateral trade and improve collaboration in customs administration.
During the meeting, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed, congratulated Adeniyi on his emergence as Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO), describing the development as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.
Saeed commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service under Adeniyi, noting that sustained collaboration between both countries has yielded measurable gains, particularly in non-oil trade.
According to him, trade volumes outside the oil sector recorded significant growth between 2023 and 2025, despite prevailing global economic challenges, adding that the UAE considers its relationship with Nigeria among its most productive partnerships.
The ambassador further disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been forwarded to strengthen cooperation between customs authorities of both countries, with emphasis on trade facilitation and administrative efficiency.
He described Adeniyi as one of the most valued guests received by the embassy and praised the Nigeria Customs Service management for maintaining the country’s upward trajectory in trade performance.
In his response, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the reception and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to build on existing ties with the UAE to unlock new trade opportunities.
He said the engagement marks the beginning of another phase in bilateral relations, aimed at simplifying trade processes, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and fostering stronger institutional collaboration between customs administrations.
The Comptroller-General noted that trade relations between Nigeria and the UAE have improved considerably over the past two years, stressing that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to engage stakeholders to enhance efficiency and support legitimate trade.
He also underscored the importance of joint efforts to address activities that undermine Nigeria’s global reputation, adding that stronger cooperation would boost security, mutual trust, and economic growth between both nations.
By TimesNG
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening trade relations and enhancing customs cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a high-level diplomatic engagement in Abuja.
Adeniyi met with officials of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nigeria on April 29, 2026, where both sides expressed readiness to expand bilateral trade and improve collaboration in customs administration.
During the meeting, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed, congratulated Adeniyi on his emergence as Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO), describing the development as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.
Saeed commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service under Adeniyi, noting that sustained collaboration between both countries has yielded measurable gains, particularly in non-oil trade.
According to him, trade volumes outside the oil sector recorded significant growth between 2023 and 2025, despite prevailing global economic challenges, adding that the UAE considers its relationship with Nigeria among its most productive partnerships.
The ambassador further disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been forwarded to strengthen cooperation between customs authorities of both countries, with emphasis on trade facilitation and administrative efficiency.
He described Adeniyi as one of the most valued guests received by the embassy and praised the Nigeria Customs Service management for maintaining the country’s upward trajectory in trade performance.
In his response, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the reception and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to build on existing ties with the UAE to unlock new trade opportunities.
He said the engagement marks the beginning of another phase in bilateral relations, aimed at simplifying trade processes, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and fostering stronger institutional collaboration between customs administrations.
The Comptroller-General noted that trade relations between Nigeria and the UAE have improved considerably over the past two years, stressing that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to engage stakeholders to enhance efficiency and support legitimate trade.
He also underscored the importance of joint efforts to address activities that undermine Nigeria’s global reputation, adding that stronger cooperation would boost security, mutual trust, and economic growth between both nations.
By TimesNG