The Nigeria Customs Service and the Indian Customs Administration have held bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation on customs valuation, transfer pricing, and system integration as part of ongoing efforts under their Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA).

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 92nd Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Policy Commission in Brussels on June 23, 2025.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, led the Nigerian delegation, while India was represented by Surjit Bhujbal, a senior official of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

Adeniyi said the engagement was built on the CMAA signed in November 2024, and provided an opportunity to review progress in key areas.

“We are intensifying efforts to tackle undervaluation, abusive transfer pricing, and to improve system integration between customs and tax authorities,” he said.

He also referenced joint actions against substandard pharmaceutical imports, which he said were possible through better intelligence sharing.

He added that Nigeria was interested in expanding technical cooperation with India.

“We are looking at joint missions, training programmes, and data exchange to improve risk management and strengthen trade controls,” Adeniyi stated.

In his remarks, Bhujbal said India viewed Nigeria as a strategic partner on the continent. “The CMAA has opened a structured channel for mutual assistance, information exchange, and capacity building,” he said.

He noted that both countries could benefit from India’s experience in linking customs with tax systems.

The CMAA was signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Nigeria in 2024. It provides a formal framework for cooperation between the two countries’ customs authorities.

The WCO Policy Commission serves as a forum for customs leaders to discuss international trade facilitation and enforcement standards. Nigeria’s participation underscores its ongoing customs reform agenda and engagement with global best practices.