NIGERIA CUSTOMS, UK’S HMRC ADVANCE DEAL TO STRENGTHEN TRADE COOPERATION

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria Customs Service and the United Kingdom’s Revenue and Customs have moved closer to signing a new customs agreement.

The agreement will help both countries share information and improve trade.

The meeting was held on Friday at Customs headquarters in Abuja.

Assistant Comptroller-General Nafi’u Isyaku represented Customs Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi.

Isyaku says both sides have negotiated online for six months.

‎He says they met in person to finalise the deal before the signing in December.

‎Senior Policy Adviser at HMRC, Syed Moinuddin, says the talks will help both agencies build a stronger partnership.

Head of Bilateral Relations at HMRC, Louisa Bentley, says negotiations in the last two days were successful.

‎Bentley says the agreement will boost trade and improve compliance between both countries.

She also praised reforms by Nigeria Customs after touring key offices at the headquarters.

The two-day meeting ended with a tour of Customs facilities in Abuja.