Customs boss meets UAE envoy in Abuja to strengthen trade ties

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has held talks with officials of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Abuja aimed at deepening trade relations and customs cooperation between both countries.

During the diplomatic engagement on April 29, 2026, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed, congratulated Adeniyi on his emergence as Chairman of the World Customs Organization, describing it as a major achievement for Nigeria and Africa.

The ambassador commended the Customs leadership for efforts that have strengthened bilateral relations, saying cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the UAE had delivered strong results, particularly in non-oil trade between 2023 and 2025.

He also disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding had been forwarded to enhance collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and UAE Customs in the areas of trade facilitation and customs administration.

Responding, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the engagement and said the meeting would help consolidate the relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. He added that both sides were working to make trade easier, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

The Customs boss said trade ties between the two countries had improved significantly in the last two years and pledged continued engagement with traders and service providers to boost efficiency. He also called for stronger cooperation to address activities of individuals whose actions damage Nigeria’s image abroad, saying this would improve security, trust and economic growth.