The Nigeria Customs Service and the United Kingdom's His Majesty's Revenue and Customs have intensified negotiations on a landmark trade cooperation agreement. A high-level bilateral meeting was held at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja, led by HMRC Policy Adviser Syed Moinuddin and NCS Assistant Comptroller-General Nafi'u Isyaku. The meeting aimed to resolve outstanding issues and finalize negotiations on the proposed agreement.
The proposed Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement seeks to improve information sharing, compliance, and trade facilitation between Nigeria and the UK. According to NCS spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada, the agreement will enhance trade cooperation between both countries. The negotiations have been ongoing for about six months, with virtual discussions preceding the physical meeting in Abuja.
The NCS Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, stated that the engagement is part of efforts to conclude negotiations ahead of the proposed signing of the agreement in December. He expressed hope that the agreement will be signed during the World Customs Organisation Policy Commission meeting. Syed Moinuddin described the meeting as an opportunity to resolve outstanding areas of cooperation and develop a framework reflecting the interests of both countries.
The HMRC delegation, which included Louisa Bentley, Head of Bilateral Relations and Agreements, commended the reforms and operational improvements recorded by the NCS. Bentley noted significant progress in technology deployment and personnel training, contributing to more modern and efficient trade processes. The delegation toured key NCS facilities, including the Trade Modernisation Project Limited office and Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network station.
According to Louisa Bentley, the CMAA will support trade by improving information exchange and compliance while strengthening trade facilitation between the two countries. The agreement will enhance the ability of both customs administrations to participate more effectively in global trade opportunities. Bentley expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the negotiations.
The two-day engagement ended with a tour of key NCS departments and facilities to showcase ongoing reforms and operational developments to the HMRC delegation. The meeting was considered successful, with both sides close to concluding the agreement. The final signing of the agreement is expected to take place in December.
The Nigeria Customs Service and HMRC have strengthened their relationship within the international customs community through this engagement. The landmark trade cooperation agreement is expected to boost trade relations between Nigeria and the UK. Key aspects of the agreement include improved information sharing and enhanced trade facilitation.
Key points
- The proposed agreement aims to improve information sharing and compliance between Nigeria and the UK.
- The negotiations have been ongoing for about six months, with virtual discussions preceding the physical meeting in Abuja.
- The final signing of the agreement is expected to take place in December during the World Customs Organisation Policy Commission meeting.
