By: peace Udugba- The Daily Torch Media
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to technology-driven border management and stronger international cooperation as the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition opened on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The three-day conference, holding at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), is organised by the WCO under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation.” It brings together Customs administrations, policymakers, technology providers and industry leaders to explore how innovation can enhance border security while facilitating legitimate trade.
Nigeria’s participation at the high-level forum underscores the Service’s ongoing trade modernisation agenda and its alignment with global best practices, particularly in data exchange, digitalisation and intelligence-led enforcement.
Speaking during a panel session, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi—who also chairs the WCO Council—emphasised the importance of structured international collaboration in addressing emerging cross-border threats.
He noted that sustained engagement with organisations such as INTERPOL, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union has strengthened cooperation in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing evolving trade risks.
According to him, enhanced data exchange and sound governance frameworks remain critical to tackling challenges such as cargo diversion along international transit corridors.
“Diversion of goods in transit is not unique to Nigeria; it is a global issue that demands coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation. Through WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks, administrations can more effectively investigate offences and ensure goods reach their intended destinations,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General also commended innovative solutions showcased at the conference, citing a digital humanitarian corridor solution developed by the UAE as a practical model for improving the movement of relief consignments.
“I saw a digital humanitarian corridor solution presented by the UAE. If scaled across the global Customs community, it can significantly improve the efficient movement of humanitarian goods within a fully digitalised environment,” he said.
Adeniyi further observed that the global Customs response to modern border challenges has been driven by coordinated standards and practical tools developed over time, with technology at the centre of these efforts. He stressed that organisational agility goes beyond deploying systems, noting that Customs administrations must also be able to absorb change, respond to emerging risks and continuously adapt operational approaches.
He added that while technology remains critical, sustainable modernisation must be supported by deliberate investment in human capital, especially as many Customs administrations face generational transitions. According to him, equipping the next generation of officers with the right skills is essential to maximising the benefits of technology and sustaining long-term institutional effectiveness.
Also representing Nigeria at the conference, the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Team played an active role in technical sessions. The General Manager, TMP, Ahmed Ogunsola, participated in a panel titled “Above the Clouds: Enhancing Customs Security through Cloud Computing and Data Analytics,” where discussions focused on the use of cloud infrastructure and advanced analytics to strengthen risk management, improve compliance and enhance Customs security.
Similarly, the TMP software development lead, Nabil Mustapha, delivered a tech talk on the evolution of national trade systems, highlighting secure system architectures, seamless user experience and measurable outcomes.
At the exhibition, TMP showcased Nigeria’s ongoing Customs modernisation efforts, including the indigenous B’odogwu application and other digital solutions designed to integrate stakeholders across the trade ecosystem and simplify operations for Customs officers.
The conference opening ceremony featured remarks by senior UAE officials, including the Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, and the Director-General of Customs and Port Security, Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahaj Al Falasi, both of whom highlighted the role of technology, data analytics and human capacity development in the future of Customs administration.
In his address, WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, stressed that Customs administrations remain central to global economic and social prosperity, noting that innovation is essential for managing border threats, securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate trade.
Beyond panel sessions and exhibitions, the NCS and TMP teams also participated in the conference Hackathon, collaborating with global Customs and technology experts to develop practical, innovation-led solutions to emerging trade and border challenges—demonstrating Nigeria’s growing capacity to contribute to global Customs technology solutions.
Overall, the active participation of the Nigeria Customs Service and TMP Limited at the conference reflects a sustained resolve to modernise operations, strengthen international partnerships and deploy innovation to achieve efficient, secure and globally aligned trade facilitation.
