The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with the Indian Customs Administration during a high-level bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 92nd Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Policy Commission in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, June 25, 2025.
Led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Nigerian delegation held talks with Mr. Surjit Bhujbal, a senior official of India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), to evaluate the implementation of the Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) signed by both countries on November 16, 2024.
The meeting focused on deepening cooperation in customs valuation, addressing transfer pricing challenges, and exploring the integration of customs and tax systems—key focus areas outlined in the CMAA. Both parties also reviewed their joint efforts in curbing the illegal trade in substandard pharmaceutical products, referencing recent successful seizures in Nigeria that were facilitated by improved intelligence sharing.
Speaking at the meeting, CGC Adeniyi noted, “Today’s dialogue is a continuation of the strong foundations laid during the signing of the CMAA in November 2024. We are intensifying efforts to tackle undervaluation, abusive transfer pricing, and to improve system integration between customs and tax authorities. Additionally, our joint actions in curbing the importation of substandard pharmaceuticals yield results and protect public health.”
He further expressed Nigeria’s readiness to expand cooperation through technical missions, training programmes, and shared data mechanisms that would strengthen risk management, enhance revenue collection, and improve trade control efficiency.
“This partnership reflects our vision of a smarter, collaborative, and globally connected customs administration,” Adeniyi added.
On his part, Mr. Surjit Bhujbal described Nigeria as a key strategic partner in Africa, affirming India’s interest in deepening collaboration through mutual assistance, information exchange, and capacity development.
“The CMAA has opened a structured channel for technical cooperation. We are particularly focused on customs valuation, tackling revenue leakages from transfer pricing abuses, and integrating tax and customs systems—an area where India has achieved notable success,” Bhujbal stated.
The WCO Policy Commission serves as a premier forum for customs authorities worldwide to deliberate on policy direction, trade facilitation, and enforcement strategies. Nigeria’s active engagement at the session reaffirms its commitment to global best practices and the ongoing modernisation of its customs operations.
