Nigeria’s push to modernise its Customs operations, align with global standards and enhance trade efficiency has received a significant boost, following a high-level bilateral working visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, and his delegation.
The visit, which took place from 29 to 31 October 2025, forms part of Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) strategic drive to deepen institutional cooperation, benchmark international best practice, and strengthen operational capacities for improved trade facilitation, port efficiency, and compliance enforcement across Nigeria’s borders.
Over the two-day engagement, senior Dutch Customs officials, port managers, and technical experts interfaced with the NCS delegation through presentations, facility tours, and consultative meetings that examined some of the world’s most successful Customs models.
The mission began in Rotterdam, at Dutch Customs Headquarters on Laan op Zuid, where the delegation was received warmly by senior management of the Netherlands Customs Administration.
The Nigerian team was briefed by the National Tariff Classification Team (TeamLTT) led by expert Ed Tulp, who provided insights into the Netherlands’ highly structured tariff classification, rules of origin system, and integrated decisions on duty assessments.
This was followed by a technical deep-dive facilitated by Dennis van der Wolk of the Customs National Tactical Centre (DLTC), who presented the Netherlands’ globally referenced model for risk profiling, real-time cargo monitoring, and the coordinated use of technology in operational decision-making.
Adeniyi, in his remarks, described the Dutch system as “a reference point for scientific enforcement in a way that still facilitates legitimate trade,” adding that “the degree of automation, intelligence integration, and collaboration visible here shows how Customs can be both facilitators and regulators without compromising either core mandate.”
The delegation later proceeded to Schiphol International Airport – a major global air freight transit hub – where they received a comprehensive briefing on automated cargo handling processes, pre-arrival documentation, and coordinated border policy that has helped the Netherlands maintain a world-leading clearance time for air freight.
Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan, who leads the NCS Tariff and Trade Department, said the tour and technical exposures would have direct real-world value for Nigeria, stating: “We are in the midst of an ambitious modernisation programme, and the insights gathered here will feed into our drive to streamline cargo processes, improve predictability, and raise Nigeria’s compliance levels.”
In continuation of the bilateral mission, the team visited the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they interacted with the Director-General for International Trade, Mr Machiel Zweers.
Both sides agreed on the need to pursue a structured framework that would allow sustained mutual learning, technical support, and institutional capacity building.
Zweers described the visit as “timely, strategic, and of long-term benefit to both sides,” assuring that the Netherlands remains committed to supporting Customs-to-Customs cooperation that promotes fair trade, innovation, gender equity, and stronger border controls.
A wrap-up session later held at the Netherlands Ministry of Finance, where the delegation reviewed conclusions from all the technical interactions and began to identify specific areas that could be formalised into cooperation agreements – including tariff classification, cargo risk analysis, digital trade processing and inter-agency interoperability.
CGC Adeniyi disclosed after the session that the exchanges across Dutch institutions had provided “a practical blueprint on how Customs can deliver business confidence through transparency, digital intelligence, and stakeholder collaboration.”
The bilateral mission concluded with a tour of the Port of Rotterdam, where the NCS delegation was introduced to the world’s most sophisticated integrated port logistics schemes, data-driven freight tracking systems, rail-and-sea intermodal operations, and streamlined export-import control processes.
According to Adeniyi, the Netherlands’ model reaffirms that “Customs transformation succeeds faster where there is unity of purpose between port authorities, terminal operators and Customs agencies.”
DCG Niagwan added that the Dutch approach “embodies inclusiveness and trust – essential principles Nigeria must institutionalise if we are to deliver a Customs regime that is both modern and equitable.”
The Netherlands visit is one in a series of strategic international engagements under the leadership of CGC Adewale Adeniyi, as the Nigeria Customs Service continues its shift towards a more efficient, intelligence-led, and investor-friendly administration designed to boost trade competitiveness and revenue protection in the country.
Members of the CG’s delegation included DCG Caroline Niagwan; Deputy Comptroller Etim Ibok, Special Assistant to the CGC; Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer; and Assistant Comptroller Lauretta Utubor, Team Lead of Nigeria’s Advance Ruling System, amongst others.
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