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Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening customs cooperation, with both countries holding strategic talks on valuation, transfer pricing, and system integration during the 92nd Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Policy Commission in Brussels on June 23, 2025.
The bilateral meeting, held on the sidelines of the WCO gathering, brought together top officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Indian Customs Administration. Leading the Nigerian delegation was Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, while India was represented by Surjit Bhujbal, a senior member of India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
The engagement built on the foundation of the Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) signed between both countries in November 2024, during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria. This agreement formally established a framework for customs cooperation, covering areas such as information sharing, risk management, trade facilitation, and capacity building.
Key Focus Areas
Speaking after the meeting, Comptroller-General Adeniyi emphasized that the session was a chance to review the progress made since the CMAA was signed and to outline actionable next steps.
“We are intensifying joint efforts to address key issues like undervaluation of imports, abusive transfer pricing practices, and to improve the integration of customs and tax systems for better compliance,” Adeniyi stated.
He highlighted the importance of collaborative enforcement against substandard pharmaceutical imports, an issue that has seen growing concern in both countries. “Improved intelligence sharing has already enhanced our capacity to intercept counterfeit and substandard drugs,” he added.
According to Adeniyi, Nigeria is keen to broaden technical cooperation with India, particularly in areas of data exchange, joint operational missions, and customs staff training.
“We are discussing mechanisms for enhanced risk management, developing better electronic systems integration, and capacity development initiatives that will support Nigeria’s ongoing customs modernization agenda,” he noted.
India’s Commitment to Stronger Partnership
On India’s part, Surjit Bhujbal reaffirmed his country’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Nigeria. He described Nigeria as a vital trade and customs partner on the African continent and expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation between both administrations since the signing of the CMAA.
“The Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement has given us a structured platform for mutual assistance, intelligence exchange, and technical collaboration,” Bhujbal stated.
He pointed out that India’s experience in linking customs operations with tax systems, using real-time data integration tools, could be highly beneficial to Nigeria as it continues to reform its revenue administration and border enforcement strategies.
Bhujbal also emphasized the importance of maintaining regular policy dialogues and technical exchanges to ensure both countries remain aligned in their approach to trade facilitation and customs compliance.
Background of the CMAA
The Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement between Nigeria and India was formalized in November 2024, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries. The agreement was signed during a high-level visit by the Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria and is aimed at enhancing cooperation in tackling customs fraud, improving trade controls, and facilitating legitimate trade flows.
Under the agreement, both countries committed to sharing customs-related intelligence, conducting joint investigations where necessary, and building capacity through training programmes and study visits. It also enables both nations to collaborate in identifying and addressing illicit trade patterns, including smuggling and the circulation of counterfeit goods.
Nigeria’s Customs Reform Drive
Nigeria’s participation in the WCO Policy Commission aligns with its broader customs reform and trade facilitation agenda. Since assuming office, Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi has placed emphasis on modernizing customs operations, improving border security, and strengthening relationships with international customs administrations.
The WCO Policy Commission, which convenes top customs leaders from around the world, provides a critical platform for setting global customs enforcement and trade facilitation standards. Nigeria’s active involvement in these sessions underscores its intention to align with international best practices in customs administration.
A Path Toward Enhanced Cooperation
The recent talks between Nigeria and India reaffirmed the mutual interest both countries have in promoting fair, secure, and efficient trade. With India emerging as one of Nigeria’s top trading partners, accounting for significant imports and exports across multiple sectors, the need for closer customs collaboration has become increasingly important.
Both countries agreed to deepen work on integrating electronic systems for real-time customs data exchange, refining joint valuation frameworks, and addressing undervaluation and mispricing practices that undermine trade integrity.
They also expressed commitment to fast-tracking training and capacity-building initiatives, including officer exchange programmes, aimed at improving operational standards and customs compliance levels.
As global trade continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between Nigeria and India are essential in safeguarding revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and combating illicit cross-border activities. The ongoing bilateral dialogue signals a proactive approach by both nations in fostering a transparent, secure, and efficient trading environment.
Conclusion
The Nigeria-India customs talks in Brussels mark another important step in strengthening ties between the two nations. With a clear focus on valuation, transfer pricing, and system integration, both countries are positioning themselves to address common trade challenges while enhancing economic cooperation. As both administrations continue to engage under the CMAA framework, they are expected to roll out joint programmes and improved enforcement strategies in the coming months.