By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department have moved to strengthen bilateral cooperation on trade facilitation and border management, following a high-level engagement between both institutions in Malaysia.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, led the Nigerian delegation to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department headquarters during his official visit on the sidelines of the DSA Malaysia 2026 engagement. The meeting formed part of broader efforts to deepen international customs cooperation in response to expanding trade relations between both countries.
Trade between Nigeria and Malaysia has recorded significant growth in recent years, with Nigeria’s imports from Malaysia rising from about 159.9 billion naira in 2020 to 716 billion naira in 2024. Cumulatively, trade volume between both countries is estimated at about 1.82 trillion naira over a five year period, reflecting a steady expansion in commercial exchange across key sectors.
Adeniyi was received by the Director General of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad, whose leadership has been associated with ongoing reforms in customs enforcement and regulatory administration. Both officials held discussions centred on strengthening institutional collaboration, improving customs modernisation frameworks, and advancing coordinated border management systems aimed at enhancing efficiency and regulatory integrity.
During the engagement, the Comptroller-General underscored the growing importance of Nigeria and Malaysia as trade partners, noting that the volume and diversity of imports require a more structured customs to customs cooperation framework. He highlighted key imports from Malaysia to Nigeria, including crude palm oil, refined palm olein, jet fuel, food preparations, machinery, and other industrial inputs that support Nigeria’s production and consumption needs.
Both agencies acknowledged that despite longstanding trade relations, there is currently no formal legal framework governing bilateral customs cooperation. In response, they agreed to commence processes toward establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the framework of the World Customs Organisation, to be pursued through appropriate diplomatic channels. The proposed arrangement is expected to provide a structured platform for cooperation, strengthen mutual trust, and improve reciprocal trade facilitation measures.
The Malaysian Customs leadership also presented its evolving border management system, including the establishment of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, designed as an integrated frontline structure for border security and coordination.
In response, the Nigeria Customs Service outlined its own reform initiatives, particularly the Authorised Economic Operator programme and other trade facilitation mechanisms designed to ensure predictable cargo clearance, reduce transaction costs, and enhance compliance within the trading environment. Both sides also placed emphasis on intelligence sharing, enforcement coordination, and the use of technology in addressing illicit trade, smuggling, and transnational trafficking activities.
As part of his engagements in Malaysia, the Comptroller-General also visited the Nigerian Diplomatic Mission and Defence Office, where he commended their roles in supporting Nigeria’s interests abroad and providing assistance to citizens in the country.
