Comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has made a strong case for deeper unity and cooperation among Customs administrations within the West and Central Africa (WCO-WCA) region, highlighting the vast economic potential such synergy could unlock for member nations.
Speaking at the WCO-WCA Donor Conference cultural night-out and dinner held Thursday at the Customs headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, Adeniyi emphasized that shared goals and values among member states must take precedence over divisions, many of which, he noted, are externally instigated.
“What unites us is more important than what separates us,” he said. “It has become very important, and indeed an obligation, for us to begin to dwell more on those things that bring us together rather than those few issues—sometimes orchestrated from outside our region—that divide us.”
Adeniyi underscored the need for Customs agencies across the region to work more closely to combat smuggling, curb the proliferation of arms, and boost regional trade and revenue mobilisation. He added that such collaboration is vital to achieving sustained economic growth and regional integration.
The event, which drew delegates and stakeholders from across the WCO-WCA region, was part of the broader World Customs Organization initiative to deepen partnerships and enhance Customs capacity in Africa.
More than just a celebration of culture, Adeniyi described the evening as a reaffirmation of the collective spirit required to advance shared Customs priorities, including trade facilitation, border security, and economic modernization.
“We should develop a stronger spirit of cooperation, collaboration and understanding,” the Customs CG stated, noting the interdependent nature of Customs operations across the region.
Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Ian Saunders, echoed Adeniyi’s sentiments through a message delivered by Inspector-General Amadou Konaté, Director General of Mali’s Customs. Saunders acknowledged that the Abuja conference had succeeded in surfacing practical solutions to longstanding regional challenges. He also extended gratitude to the Nigerian Customs Service for their warm hospitality and leadership during the conference.
The cultural night featured traditional performances, music, and other displays celebrating the region’s diverse heritage, with participants seizing the opportunity to build interpersonal and institutional bonds.The colorful evening marked a high point of the WCO-WCA Donor Conference, which continues in Abuja with discussions focused on reforms, modernization strategies, and technical support for Customs administrations in West and Central Africa.
As stakeholders depart from the cultural festivities and return to the conference agenda, the call for a united regional front remains a central theme—one that could reshape the economic and security landscape of West and Central Africa.
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