Customs Strengthen Nigeria–Malaysia Trade, Border Cooperation

Customs Strengthen Nigeria–Malaysia Trade, Border Cooperation

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up engagement with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD), advancing talks on trade facilitation and coordinated border management amid growing commercial ties between both countries.

The move followed an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the RMCD headquarters on the sidelines of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Malaysia 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Service’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the engagement comes at a time when trade volumes between Nigeria and Malaysia are on the rise. Data shows Nigeria’s imports from Malaysia climbed from about N159.9 billion in 2020 to N716 billion in 2024, with total trade over five years estimated at N1.82 trillion.

During the visit, Adeniyi held discussions with the Director-General of the RMCD, Amran bin Haji Ahmad, focusing on customs modernisation, institutional collaboration and more efficient border management systems.

He noted that the expanding trade relationship calls for a more formalised partnership between both customs administrations, describing Malaysia as a key trading partner supplying products such as palm oil, aviation fuel, machinery and other industrial inputs.

“The scale and trajectory of Nigeria–Malaysia trade relations necessitate a more structured and formalised customs-to-customs partnership,” Adeniyi said, adding that customs authorities must strike a balance between facilitating legitimate trade and safeguarding national security.

Both sides observed that despite long-standing trade relations, there is no formal legal framework governing customs cooperation between the two countries.

To address this, they agreed to begin steps toward a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the World Customs Organization framework, a move expected to deepen trust and improve efficiency in cross-border transactions.

The meeting also featured a presentation by the Malaysian delegation on its integrated border control system, including the establishment of a centralised border protection agency.

In response, Adeniyi highlighted reforms within the NCS, particularly the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which aims to speed up cargo clearance, lower transaction costs and improve compliance.

Both customs authorities stressed the need for stronger intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement and increased use of technology to tackle illicit trade and transnational smuggling.

The NCS said outcomes from the engagement are expected to boost operational capacity, strengthen border security and support Nigeria’s economic growth objectives.

As part of the visit, the Comptroller-General also met with officials at the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Malaysia, commending their role in promoting national interests and assisting Nigerians abroad.