Nigeria and the United Kingdom have advanced negotiations on a proposed customs cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening information sharing, compliance and trade facilitation between the two countries.
The discussions involve the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom.
The latest development followed a high-level bilateral meeting held at the NCS headquarters in Abuja, where officials from both sides worked through outstanding issues relating to the proposed Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAA).
Six Months of Negotiations
According to the Nigeria Customs Service, negotiations on the agreement had been conducted virtually for about six months before officials decided to hold a physical meeting in Abuja.
Nafi’u Isyaku, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of the Strategic, Research and Policy Department, represented the Comptroller-General of Customs at the meeting.
The officials discussed outstanding areas ahead of a proposed signing of the agreement in December.
Agreement Expected to Improve Trade Cooperation
The proposed agreement is designed to improve cooperation between the two customs administrations through better information sharing and stronger compliance procedures.
HMRC officials said the framework could also support trade facilitation and make it easier for both countries to participate in international trade opportunities.
Louisa Bentley, HMRC’s Head of Bilateral Relations and Agreements, said negotiations held over the two-day meeting had been successful and that both sides were close to finalising the agreement.
Nigeria Customs Highlights Ongoing Reforms
The HMRC delegation also toured several Nigeria Customs facilities, including the Trade Modernisation Project Limited office, the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report office and the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network station.
The delegation was briefed on developments in technology and personnel training within the service.
HMRC officials said the developments could support more modern and efficient trade processes.
Wider Nigeria-UK Economic Partnership
The latest customs discussions form part of broader economic cooperation between Nigeria and the UK.
The two countries already have an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) covering areas including customs and trade facilitation, investment, export diversification, financial services, agriculture and other sectors.
The proposed customs agreement would provide a more specific framework for cooperation between the two countries’ customs authorities.
Proposed Signing in December
Nigeria Customs officials said the two sides are working towards concluding the negotiations ahead of a proposed signing in December 2026, potentially during the World Customs Organization Policy Commission meeting.
The agreement has not yet been signed, meaning the current development represents progress in negotiations rather than a completed bilateral agreement.
Conclusion
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have moved closer to finalising a proposed customs cooperation agreement following high-level discussions in Abuja.
If concluded, the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement is intended to strengthen information sharing, compliance and trade facilitation between the two countries.
Sources:
Nigeria Customs Service statements, Voice of Nigeria, Premium Times and UK Government.