By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Nigeria Customs Service and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department have advanced discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade facilitation and border management.
This followed an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the RMCD headquarters on the sidelines of his participation at DSA Malaysia 2026.
During the visit, Adeniyi was received by the Director-General of RMCD, Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad, whose recent appointment in March 2026 signals a reform-driven leadership within the Malaysian customs system.
Photo News: Nigeria, Malaysia Customs Deepen Trade, Border Cooperation
Both leaders held high-level talks focused on institutional collaboration, customs modernisation, and coordinated border management frameworks aimed at improving efficiency while safeguarding regulatory integrity.
They also emphasised the critical role of customs administrations in facilitating legitimate trade alongside effective enforcement.
Adeniyi noted that Malaysia remains a key trading partner to Nigeria, with imports rising significantly from N159.9 billion in 2020 to N716.0 billion in 2024.
He added that cumulative trade between both countries has reached approximately N1.82 trillion over a five-year period, with major imports including crude palm oil, refined palm olein, jet fuel, food preparations, machinery, and other industrial inputs.
He stressed that the scale and growth of Nigeria-Malaysia trade relations require a more structured and formalised customs-to-customs partnership, particularly in tackling illicit trade and transnational trafficking.
The engagement also highlighted the absence of a formal legal framework guiding bilateral customs cooperation despite longstanding trade ties.
To address this, both parties agreed to initiate steps toward establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the framework of the World Customs Organization.
The agreement is expected to enhance trust, streamline clearance processes, reduce transaction costs, and support reciprocal trade facilitation measures.
In addition, the RMCD showcased its evolving border management architecture, including the establishment of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency as an integrated frontline border control body.
In response, the Nigerian Customs Service highlighted its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other trade facilitation initiatives designed to ensure predictable clearance processes and strengthen compliance.
Both sides underscored the importance of deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing, enforcement coordination, and the deployment of technology-driven border management systems.
As part of the visit, the Comptroller-General also met with officials at the Nigerian diplomatic mission and Defence Office in Malaysia, commending their roles in advancing Nigeria’s national interests and supporting citizens abroad.
The Nigeria Customs Service said the outcomes of the engagement would enhance operational capacity, improve trade facilitation, and reinforce border security while contributing to Nigeria’s broader economic growth objectives.
