The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and expanding professional capacity-building following the completion of a four-day study tour to Algeria by participants of Senior Course 13 from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
During an interactive session with the delegation on 4 December 2025, the Director-General of Algerian Customs, Major General Abdulhafid Bakhouche, underscores the need for Africa’s customs administrations to go beyond building colleges and training facilities, stressing that the continent’s real progress lies in sharing practical knowledge and operational experiences.
According to him, “Constructing customs colleges and higher schools are not enough. What truly counts is sharing experiences with each other, especially in customs procedures.” He encouraged Nigeria and other African countries to strengthen collaboration in the areas of trade facilitation, border security, and technology deployment, noting that Nigeria’s experience remains invaluable.
“We want Nigeria to share its rich expertise with Algerian Customs. Algeria is ready to deepen exchanges, particularly under opportunities created by the AfCFTA,” he added.
The NCS delegation, led by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebankin, described the engagement as timely and fully aligned with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Adewale Adeniyi.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is fully committed to expanding cooperation with Algeria and other African administrations. This supports the CGC’s drive to strengthen regional integration, modernise procedures, and build a smarter, knowledge-driven Customs,” DCG Adebankin said.
He expressed profound appreciation for the hospitality shown by Algerian Customs, noting that the exposure gained by Senior Course 13 students would significantly enrich their professional development.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation, including the Team Lead for the 2025 Africa Study Tour, Deputy Comptroller Solomon Nwakegu; Course Coordinator, Deputy Comptroller Thomas Jona; Team Coordinator, Deputy Comptroller Nse Etienam; and Team Supervisor, Assistant Comptroller Olufemi Iyeru commended the quality of lectures delivered by Algerian Customs experts.
The tour featured visits to the Higher Customs School in Oran, SONATRACH Refinery, ICT facilities, and other operational centres. Participants were briefed on Algeria’s approaches to customs training, risk management, enforcement systems, and the deployment of modern technologies.
At the end of the visit, officials from both countries agreed to initiate a formal exchange programme to sustain the momentum of cooperation. Senior Course 13 had earlier embarked on similar study tours to Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, and Equatorial Guinea, as part of their comprehensive continental exposure.
The four-day African Study Tour concluded with an exchange of gifts between the two administrations, reinforcing the mutual commitment to knowledge-sharing and strengthening customs professionalism across Africa.
0 Comments