AWC MDA Desk, March, 2026
In a major move to eliminate multi-billion pound discrepancies in bilateral trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have signed a landmark strategic partnership to modernize border operations and synchronize trade data.
According to an NCS release, the agreement was finalized during a high-level meeting in London on March 18, 2026, held on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
The release stated that the new framework operates under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), a bilateral initiative designed to slash regulatory barriers and boost economic cooperation.
It went on to affirm that tackling the £1.2 Billion “Data Gap” is at the heart of the new pact, since there is an urgent need to resolve significant reporting discrepancies.
The NCS stated “According to 2024 metrics, a staggering mismatch exists between the two nations’ records:
* UK Exports to Nigeria: Recorded at £1.7 Billion.
* Nigeria Imports from UK: Recorded at only £504 Million.
This nearly £1.2 billion gap has raised concerns over revenue leakage, trade integrity, and data reconciliation.”
To bridge this, said the release, both agencies have committed to a Pre-Arrival Data Exchange protocol.
“By linking digital platforms, customs officials can now automate data reconciliation and perform real-time risk management before goods even reach the docks,” stated the release.
According to the document, “Three Pillars of Modernization
The partnership is built on three strategic pillars aimed at transforming the Nigeria–UK trade corridor:
* Digital Border Management: The deployment of AI-driven tools and real-time analytics to replace manual processes, significantly increasing efficiency and reducing opportunities for corruption.
* Operational Cooperation: The establishment of a Mutual Administrative Assistance Framework, allowing for seamless information sharing across critical economic sectors like agriculture, energy, and industrial goods.
* Capacity Building: A commitment to “knowledge exchange,” where both nations will share technical expertise and jointly deploy new border technologies.
“A Strategic Leap Forward
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that this collaboration is vital for Nigeria’s competitiveness. “Effective customs cooperation remains central to economic growth,” Adeniyi stated, noting that the alignment with HMRC will help embed global best practices into Nigeria’s ongoing port reforms.
“The deal coincides with other major announcements during the state visit, including a £747 million agreement to refurbish the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, signaling a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s maritime and trade infrastructure,” concluded the release.
Recall that African Writers Centre, AWC reported the trade data gap between what was documented in Nigeria and the UK, which generated intense scrutiny in various quarters.
