Nigeria and the United Kingdom have agreed to establish a structured data-sharing system aimed at resolving a £1.2 billion discrepancy in trade figures between both countries, a mismatch that has raised long-standing concerns over transparency in bilateral commerce.
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting held in London on 18 March 2026, under the Nigeria–United Kingdom Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), alongside President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK.
According to a statement by Nigeria Customs Service spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the talks brought together Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and Ms Megan Shaw, Head of International Customs and Border Engagement at His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Discussions focused on customs modernisation, improved data transparency, and stronger operational cooperation between both agencies.
A major concern raised at the meeting was a significant imbalance in trade records. While Nigeria reported about £504 million worth of imports from the UK in 2024, UK records showed exports to Nigeria valued at approximately £1.7 billion for the same period — leaving a gap of around £1.2 billion that both sides agreed must be urgently addressed.
To resolve the discrepancy, both agencies agreed to explore a pre-arrival data exchange system that will link their digital customs platforms. The initiative is expected to improve risk management, strengthen compliance monitoring, and enhance the accuracy of trade data across the Nigeria–UK trade corridor.
Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi described customs cooperation as essential to economic growth, stressing that efficient and transparent trade systems are critical for mutual benefit between both nations.
He also noted the long-standing trade relationship between Nigeria and the UK, which spans key sectors such as agriculture, industrial goods, energy, and consumer products.
During the engagement, the UK side presented its advances in artificial intelligence-driven customs systems, digital verification tools, and real-time analytics — innovations expected to improve cargo processing, border security, and trade efficiency.
The meeting also produced key outcomes, including plans for a Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Framework, technical capacity-building exchanges, and the creation of a joint technical engagement platform under the ETIP structure.
Nigeria Customs Service said the partnership marks a significant step in its broader modernisation agenda aimed at improving transparency, boosting efficiency, and strengthening Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness under the Renewed Hope programme.
