The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened bilateral relations with the Netherlands to enhance trade facilitation, port efficiency, and compliance management.
A statement by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Sunday in Abuja, said the collaboration followed a two-day working visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his delegation to the Netherlands.
Maiwada said the visit featured a series of high-level engagements, technical sessions, and institutional briefings aimed at deepening cooperation in customs operations, digital processes, and border management between both countries.
During the visit, the delegation attended a presentation by the Dutch National Tariff Classification Team led by Ed Tulp, which focused on tariff and origin procedures within the Netherlands’ customs system.
This was followed by a technical session on risk management delivered by Dennis van der Wolk of the Customs National Tactical Centre, highlighting the Dutch model for cargo monitoring, tactical decision-making, and risk profiling in customs operations.
The NCS team also met with officials of the Netherlands Customs’ International Affairs Office to discuss strengthening inter-agency coordination, capacity-building exchange programmes, and digital trade integration.
Adeniyi, who commended the Dutch Customs for its structured approach to classification and risk management, said the engagement provided valuable insights on how data-driven collaboration could enhance trade compliance and border efficiency.
“The NCS remains committed to adopting international best practices that balance enforcement with facilitation, ensuring that legitimate trade thrives while revenue and security interests are safeguarded,” Adeniyi said.
The delegation also visited Schiphol Cargo, where they were briefed on automation and pre-arrival processing systems at one of Europe’s busiest air freight hubs. The session, according to Maiwada, offered the team firsthand knowledge of how the Netherlands leverages technology and coordinated border management to handle high cargo volumes efficiently.
Further meetings were held with senior officials of the Netherlands’ Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance, where discussions focused on developing a framework for technical assistance, gender equity, and knowledge exchange between the two countries.
The delegation later toured the Port of Rotterdam, where they observed the port’s integrated logistics operations, advanced cargo-tracking systems, and intermodal transport models.
Adeniyi described the tour as an “eye-opener,” noting that synergy between customs and port authorities was crucial to creating an enabling environment for seamless trade and revenue optimisation.
Maiwada said the visit underscored the NCS’s determination to modernise its operations in line with global standards through strategic partnerships, technology adoption, and institutional learning.
“This engagement has provided us with a clearer picture of how modern customs administrations can achieve efficiency through collaboration and shared expertise,” Adeniyi added.
