The Nigeria Customs Service and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of the United Kingdom have intensified discussions on a trade cooperation deal. A high-level bilateral meeting was held at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja, led by HMRC Policy Adviser Syed Moinuddin. The meeting aimed to strengthen information sharing, compliance, and trade facilitation between the two countries.
The negotiations, which have been ongoing for about six months, were conducted virtually before the two sides decided to meet physically to finalize outstanding issues. Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi stated that the engagement was part of efforts to conclude negotiations on the agreement ahead of its proposed signing in December.
The Nigeria Customs Service and HMRC are close to finalizing a Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement. The agreement is expected to boost trade by improving compliance and information sharing between the two authorities. HMRC official Louisa Bentley described the negotiations as successful, with both sides nearing the finalization of the agreement.
The agreement will enhance compliance and trade facilitation for both partners in global trade opportunities. Louisa Bentley commended the reforms and operational improvements observed during a tour of key Nigeria Customs Service facilities. The facilities included the Trade Modernisation Project Limited office, the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report office, and the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network station.
The HMRC delegation was impressed by the significant developments in technology and personnel training within the Nigeria Customs Service. These reforms are expected to support more modern and efficient trade processes. The two-day meeting ended with a tour of key Customs departments to showcase the Nigeria Customs Service reforms and operational developments.
The Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi was represented by Nafi’u Isyaku, the assistant comptroller-general of customs in charge of the Strategic, Research and Policy Department. Syed Moinuddin described the meeting as an opportunity for both customs administrations to work through areas of cooperation and establish a framework that reflected the interests of the two authorities.
The proposed signing of the agreement is scheduled for the first week of December during the World Customs Organisation Policy Commission meeting. The finalization of the agreement is expected to strengthen the relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and HMRC within the wider customs family.
Key points
- The Nigeria Customs Service and HMRC are set to finalize a trade cooperation deal by December.
- The agreement aims to improve compliance and information sharing between the two authorities.
- The deal is expected to boost trade and enhance compliance and trade facilitation for both partners.
