On July 18, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Washington, D.C., to revitalize the decade-old Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA). This effort aims to enhance global collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and national security.
Adeniyi emphasized the proactive role of Nigerian Customs in tackling cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering. He highlighted successful interceptions at major ports and airports, underscoring the importance of reviving the CMAA to further bolster Nigeria's border protection and service delivery.
The meeting also addressed the need for increased capacity building to enforce Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and combat opiate issues. Adeniyi called for the establishment of a Center for Advanced Cargo and Passenger Data Analysis and an advanced command and control center to manage risks and enhance security. He discussed potential partnerships with U.S. government agencies to tackle commercial air cargo security and emphasized the importance of customized, collaborative approaches.
James Collins, Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Affairs at CBP, stressed the importance of data integration, international cooperation, and targeted training to counter transnational criminal groups. Key action items included establishing specific channels for intelligence sharing and exploring operational partnerships between Nigerian Customs and CBP.
The meeting concluded with a presentation on the future role of Artificial Intelligence in customs operations by Sunil Madhugri from CBP’s Office of Information and Technology. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi also visited the Nigerian Embassy in the USA, expressing gratitude for the support provided to Nigerians in the diaspora.
