The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation-driven border management and international cooperation as the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference opened in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The three-day conference, hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, brings together Customs administrations, policymakers, technology providers and industry leaders from across the world.
Under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” participants are examining how digital solutions can improve border security while supporting legitimate trade.
Nigeria’s participation highlights the Service’s ongoing trade modernisation agenda and its alignment with global Customs best practices, especially in digitalisation, data exchange and intelligence-led enforcement.
Speaking during a high-level panel session, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stressed the importance of structured international partnerships in addressing emerging cross-border threats.
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According to him, collaboration with organisations such as INTERPOL, the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the Universal Postal Union strengthens efforts to track criminal networks, protect intellectual property and manage evolving trade risks.
Furthermore, Adeniyi noted that cargo diversion along transit corridors remains a global concern. He explained that stronger Customs-to-Customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance frameworks are critical to tackling the challenge.
Meanwhile, the CGC commended innovative solutions showcased at the conference, including the UAE’s digital humanitarian corridor system. He described the platform as a practical tool capable of improving the movement of relief consignments within a fully digital trade environment.
He also emphasised that organisational agility goes beyond deploying technology. Instead, it requires the ability to adapt operational strategies, manage change and respond to emerging risks.
However, Adeniyi warned that sustainable modernisation must be supported by continuous investment in human capital. He said building the capacity of younger officers remains essential to maximising the benefits of digital transformation.
Representing the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), General Manager Ahmed Ogunsola participated in a panel session focused on cloud computing and data analytics. Discussions centred on improving risk management, compliance and Customs security.
Similarly, TMP Software Development Lead, Nabil Mustapha, delivered a technical presentation on the evolution of national trade systems, highlighting secure digital architecture, seamless user experience and measurable trade outcomes.
At the exhibition hall, the TMP team showcased Nigeria’s indigenous Customs solutions, including the B’odogwu application. The platform demonstrates efforts to integrate stakeholders across the trade ecosystem and improve operational efficiency.
The conference opening ceremony featured remarks from senior UAE officials, who highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, smart monitoring systems and data analytics in modern border management.
In his address, WCO Secretary-General Ian Saunders reiterated that Customs administrations remain central to global economic stability. He stressed that innovation is critical to securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate trade.
Beyond panel discussions and exhibitions, the NCS and TMP teams also participated in the conference Hackathon. The session allowed Nigerian experts to collaborate with global innovators on practical technology-driven border solutions.
Officials say Nigeria’s active participation reflects a continued commitment to modernising Customs operations, strengthening international partnerships and positioning the country as a contributor to global trade innovation.
