Adeniyi Calls for Global Action to Address Cross-Border Threats

By Oluwakemi Kindness 

Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called for deeper, structured international collaboration to address emerging cross-border challenges.

Adeniyi who is also the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation WCO, Council, listed the challenge to include the growing problem of cargo diversion along transit corridors.

Speaking during a panel session at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Adeniyi said global partnerships remain critical to tackling criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing new trade risks.

“Our experience has shown that robust engagement with international organisations such as INTERPOL, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union creates opportunities for deeper cooperation, especially in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing emerging trade risks,” he said.

Adeniyi noted that diversion of goods in transit is not unique to Nigeria, describing it as a global challenge requiring coordinated Customs-to-Customs action through existing WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks.

He also commended some of the innovative tools on display at the conference, including a digital humanitarian corridor developed by the UAE, which he said could significantly enhance the movement of relief consignments within a fully digitalised environment.

The CGC stressed that technology has long been central to Customs operations worldwide, but said true organisational agility goes beyond digital systems to include the ability to absorb change, respond to emerging risks and adapt operational approaches.

He added that sustainable modernisation requires renewed investment in human capital, as Customs administrations across WCO member states face generational transitions with experienced officers exiting the system.

The conference, organised by the WCO under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” brings together Customs administrations, technology providers, policymakers and industry leaders to examine how innovation can strengthen border security while facilitating legitimate trade.

Nigeria’s Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) team also featured in discussions focused on digital transformation.

TMP General Manager, Ahmed Ogunsola, joined a panel on cloud computing and data analytics, while software development lead Nabil Mustapha delivered a tech talk on national trade system evolution covering secure architectures, seamless user experience and beneficial outcomes.

At the exhibition booth, TMP showcased Nigeria’s ongoing Customs modernisation efforts, including the indigenous B’odogwu application and other digital solutions designed to connect trade ecosystem actors and support Customs officers.

Beyond the exhibition, the NCS and TMP team participated in the conference’s Hackathon, collaborating with global Customs and technology experts to develop innovation-driven responses to emerging border and trade challenges—demonstrating Nigeria’s growing capacity to contribute to global Customs technology solutions.