Customs CG Advocates Deeper International Cooperation Against Global Trade Crimes

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has called for deeper collaboration among Customs administrations to strengthen enforcement against transnational crimes worldwide.

Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO), made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 46th Session of the WCO Enforcement Committee held at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

The event marked a historic moment for the committee, as its opening session was jointly addressed for the first time in its 43-year history by both the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, and the Council Chairperson.

The development underscored the growing strategic relevance of the Enforcement Committee and positioned the Nigeria Customs Service at the centre of a defining moment in global Customs cooperation.

Speaking during the session, Adeniyi noted that the global economy becomes more resilient when Customs administrations collaborate effectively.

He commended Customs administrations across the world for their sustained efforts in combating transnational organised crime, while stressing the evolving nature of threats within global supply chains and the urgent need for coordinated, intelligence-led enforcement strategies.

“Customs enforcement today is no longer about isolated seizures; it is about protecting the integrity of global trade,” he said.

According to him, stronger cooperation among Customs authorities will enhance enforcement, safeguard legitimate trade, and strengthen the global economy.

“When Customs administrations work together, enforcement becomes stronger, trade becomes safer, and the global economy becomes more resilient,” the WCO Council Chairperson stated.

The session also highlighted a major shift in the committee’s operational outlook, transitioning from a predominantly enforcement-focused platform to a policy-driven body addressing a broader range of emerging challenges.

These include the deployment of advanced detection technologies, improved intelligence sharing, supply chain integrity, and the fight against trade-based money laundering within a more structured and forward-looking framework.

In line with these developments, the committee is currently reviewing its Terms of Reference, last updated in 2009, in a move aimed at aligning its governance structure with the realities of an increasingly complex global trading environment.

Meanwhile, delegates at the session witnessed a live demonstration of drone technology by the Netherlands Customs team, showcasing the growing role of unmanned systems in modern border surveillance.

As part of its contribution to the discussions, the Nigeria Customs Service presented field-level perspectives on fragile border management, drawing from its operational experience as a frontline administration operating in one of Africa’s most challenging border environments.

These insights are expected to enrich ongoing global discourse and strengthen policy considerations within the international enforcement community.