Nigeria and the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement’s Revival
By Abdulsalam Mahmud
The international treaties, conventions, and agreements to which Nigeria is a signatory are numerous. Some notable ones include the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, the Aburi Accord, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
There is: the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, and the Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and Their Habitats.
Equally, Nigeria is a party to the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, and the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA).
But the CMAA, which was only launched a little over a decade ago, now appears to be ‘ineffective.’ To this end, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Customs, recently participated in a bilateral meeting with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Washington, D.C, as part of efforts to strengthen the pact.
Primarily, the meeting was convened to revive the CMAA, and for the agreement to enhance service delivery through global collaborations and data-driven decision-making, improving national security and effectively combating cross-border crimes. Discussions also covered the challenges of commercial air cargo security and potential partnerships with U.S. government agencies.
At the forum, Adeniyi disclosed that officials of the Nigeria Customs have been actively addressing cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering, while ensuring national security. He highlighted the successful interception of illegal items, such as drugs and weapons, at major ports and airports in Nigeria.
“Reviving the CMAA will bolster the Nigeria Customs Service’s capacity to protect the nation’s borders and enhance service delivery, paving the way for a more secure and prosperous future for all Nigerians,” he added. He also stressed the need for increased capacity building to tackle Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement and opiate issues.
“Our efforts at the ports and airports have yielded significant results, but there is still much to be done in capacity building and enforcement,” the Customs boss said. While speaking further, CGC Adeniyi underscored the importance of a ‘Center for Advanced Cargo and Passenger Data Analysis’ to mitigate risks.
He highlighted the feats their agency has recorded in prosecuting wildlife criminals in Nigeria, noting that having such a center would enhance cargo and passenger security. The Customs helmsman advocated for an advanced command and control center to address security concerns.
“A dedicated targeting data fusion center will significantly improve our ability to manage risks and enhance security measures,” Adeniyi explained. Highlighting the importance of future operations, including CBP’s global targeting advisory directors and their capabilities in information sharing on cargo and passenger sides, he said: “By customizing our approaches and collaborating globally, we can address the complexities of air cargo security more effectively.”
Reacting, James Collins, Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, harped on data integration, partnerships, and targeted efforts to address transnational criminal groups exploiting seams and boundaries. “Integration of data and international cooperation is crucial in countering transnational threats.”
James Collins also stressed the need for collaboration and information sharing in border security and intelligence gathering. He called for extra investment in capacity building, train-the-trainer programs, and targeted training to address gaps in border security.
Collins stressed the need for secured channels for sharing intelligence and building partnerships with international organizations to sustain efforts in combating illicit trade and traffic. “Continuous training and secure intelligence sharing are vital to our success in maintaining border security,” Collins said.
Key action items identified during the meeting include establishing specific channels for continued intelligence sharing between Nigeria Customs and CBP, exploring operational partnerships between Nigeria Customs units and networks like CBP to coordinate cross-border responses, leveraging INTERPOL programs, and collaborating with other West and Central African countries on transnational crimes.
There was a presentation on Artificial Intelligence by Sunil Madhugri from the Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who highlighted the future of technology in enhancing customs operations and security. “Artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in our strategy to modernize and secure our borders,” Madhugri said.
Nigeria, as a nation, stands to gain tremendously from the revival of the CMAA. The resuscitation of the agreement will enhance national security while also fast-tracking the prosperity of the country’s economy.
The CMAA is also one initiative that will redefine how Nigeria combats cross-border crimes, with the aid of advanced technologies and mutual collaboration with other foreign nations.
Another thing the CMAA revival represents is the commitment of Nigeria and the international community to modernize customs operations while also devising effective strategies to ward off emerging security threats.
Revitalizing the CMAA is not only going to benefit Nigeria in the aspect of boosting national security, it will also enhance customs operations, which will help to streamline trade processes while also boosting Nigeria’s attractiveness as a hub for international business.
Since the agreement also encapsulates capacity building, it is safe to conclude that officers of the Nigeria Customs, with the revival of the CMAA, will be trained and fortified with sophisticated knowledge and skills to address complex challenges.
Furthermore, participating in training programs and engaging in collaborative efforts with the American CBP will immensely enhance the capabilities of the NCS’ personnel, making them more effective in discharging their responsibilities.
And beyond the socio-economic gains highlighted above, the rebirth of the CMAA – which CGC Adeniyi is driving – symbolizes nothing more than Nigeria’s definite stance in global security and matters of international cooperation.
More clearly, Nigeria’s participation in the process of reviving the CMAA reflects her readiness, among other things, to engage with international partners in tackling shared challenges.
Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, can be reached via: [email protected].
