Nigeria Customs’ Innovation-Driven Trade Facilitation Gains Momentum at WCO Abu Dhabi Conference

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advanced its innovation-driven trade facilitation agenda, gaining traction at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition, held from 28 to 30 January, in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Organised by the WCO under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation”, the conference brought together Customs administrations, tech providers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore innovation in border security and trade facilitation.

Nigeria’s participation at the exhibition, showcased the Service’s trade modernisation drive and alignment with global best practices in Customs administration, particularly in data exchange, digitalisation, and intelligence-led enforcement.

Speaking during a panel session titled “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, who also Chairs WCO Council, underscored the importance of structured international collaboration in addressing emerging cross-border challenges.

The CGC noted that engagements with international organisations such as INTERPOL, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union, have created opportunities for deeper cooperation, especially in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing emerging trade risks.

He identified enhanced data exchange and stronger governance frameworks as crucial to tackling global challenges such as cargo diversion along transit corridors.

“Diversion of goods in transit is not a challenge unique to Nigeria; it is a global issue that requires coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation. Through existing WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks, Customs administrations can more effectively investigate offences and ensure that goods reach their intended destinations,” Adeniyi said.

Speaking further, he commended the innovative solutions showcased at the conference, citing a digital humanitarian corridor solution presented by the UAE as a practical tool to improve the movement of relief consignments.

The Customs Chief said the global Customs response to evolving border challenges has been shaped by a coordinated framework of standards and practical tools developed over time, with technology remaining at the core of these interventions.

“Organisational agility goes beyond the deployment of systems and platforms, as it requires the capacity to absorb change, respond to emerging risks and continuously adapt operational approaches.

“Technology has been central to the work of the WCO and Customs administrations worldwide, and the progress recorded by UAE Customs across various operational areas demonstrates what is achievable when innovation is fully embraced,” he said.

CGC Adeniyi also stressed that sustainable modernisation must be supported by deliberate investment in human capital renewal, noting that Customs administrations across WCO member states are confronting generational transitions as experienced officers exit the system.

He said building the skills and capacity of the next generation of officers is critical to maximising the benefits of technology and sustaining long-term institutional effectiveness.

Similarly, the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Team from Nigeria made significant impact at the conference, as its General Manager, Ahmed Ogunsola, participated in a panel session titled “Above the Clouds: Enhancing Customs Security through Cloud Computing and Data Analytics”.

Discussions focused on leveraging cloud-based infrastructure and advanced analytics to strengthen risk management, improve compliance and enhance Customs security.

Nabil Mustapha, TMP Software Development Lead, walked participants through a tech talk on the evolution of national trade systems, focusing on 3 key areas: secure architectures, seamless user experience and beneficial outcomes, in a separate technical session.

Additionally, at the exhibition site, TMP showcased Nigeria Customs modernisation journey, featuring indigenous B’odogwu platform and other technology solutions that engage other critical Stakeholders in the trade ecosystem.

The opening ceremony of the conference featured remarks by senior UAE officials, including the Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, who highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, data analytics and smart monitoring systems in achieving secure and seamless trade, as well as the Director-General of Customs and Port Security, Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahaj Al Falasi, who outlined future pillars of Customs development anchored on technology, human capacity and inter-agency integration.

In his address, the Secretary-General of the WCO, Ian Saunders, stressed that Customs administrations remain central to global economic and social prosperity, noting that innovation is essential for managing evolving border threats, securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate trade.

The three-day conference features panel discussions, case studies and live demonstrations covering risk management, innovative scanning technologies, cybersecurity, e-commerce, cloud computing and sustainable Customs operations, alongside an exhibition showcasing next-generation solutions for border management.