The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for stronger global collaboration to tackle transnational crime, as its Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, addressed security leaders at the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The conference, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, brought together more than 1,400 companies and stakeholders across defence, security, and technology sectors.

It was officially opened by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

Why it matters

Global crime networks are increasingly sophisticated, operating across borders and sectors.

Speaking at a high-level dialogue on cross-border crime, Mr Adeniyi said enforcement agencies must move beyond working alone.

“The nature of crime has evolved beyond borders, requiring enforcement agencies to move from isolated responses to coordinated global action,” he said.

“Collaboration is no longer optional; it is the foundation of effective security.”

He warned that crimes such as drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, financial fraud, and terrorism financing are now interconnected.

This, he said, demands joint operations and intelligence-sharing among countries.

A three-part strategy

Drawing from Nigeria’s experience, the Customs chief outlined a three-pillar approach:

Adoption of modern technology

Stronger institutional collaboration

Continuous capacity building for officers

“We must invest in technology, strengthen partnerships, and continuously build the capacity of our officers,” Mr Adeniyi said.

He added that frameworks from the World Customs Organization provide guidance for tackling global threats.

Industry and security concerns

Participants at the summit highlighted shared challenges across countries, including:

Limited manpower

Outdated enforcement tools

Rapid growth of technology-driven crime

There was broad agreement that criminal networks are becoming more coordinated, making cooperation between governments, private security firms, and international agencies essential.

Stakeholders also called for stronger partnerships with organisations such as INTERPOL and deeper community engagement to improve intelligence gathering.

What’s next

On the sidelines of the event, the Nigeria Customs chief held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

The NCS says it plans to expand partnerships across regions, aiming to strengthen border security and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.

Officials say such cooperation will also support the integrity of the global trading system.

The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) has said language is becoming a critical driver of economic growth, as the world marks Chinese Language Day 2026.

The agency said stronger language and cultural understanding will shape Nigeria’s ability to compete globally, especially in trade and technology partnerships with China.

The international day, established by the United Nations in 2010, promotes multilingualism and cultural diversity.

This year’s theme, “Characters Endure, Civilization Shines,” highlights how language influences identity, diplomacy, and economic development.

‘Language Reflects Economic Discipline’

In a statement, NCSP Director-General Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe said the Chinese language reflects the discipline behind China’s economic rise.

“Chinese characters are more than symbols; they embody history, discipline, and philosophy. These same principles—clarity of purpose, consistency, and long-term vision—have underpinned China’s rise and remain highly relevant to Nigeria’s development journey.”

He added that as Nigeria strengthens ties with China, language skills are becoming essential for collaboration across trade, technology transfer, and industrialisation.

Why It Matters

Experts say language barriers often limit access to global markets, particularly for small businesses.

NCSP argues that improving language literacy could help Nigerian entrepreneurs better understand Chinese systems, negotiate deals, and scale operations.

“There is a direct link between how people communicate and how they build,” Tegbe said.

“The precision and depth of the Chinese language are reflected in institutional development and industrial scaling. For Nigeria, embracing structured learning including language is not optional; it is strategic.”

The agency also pointed to China’s economic model, which emphasises long-term planning, reinvestment, and industrial clustering—approaches it says Nigerian businesses can adopt.

Supporting SMEs and Trade Access

NCSP said its work goes beyond diplomacy, focusing on practical support for businesses.

It highlighted initiatives aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access Chinese markets, including emerging zero-tariff trade opportunities.

Analysts say such frameworks could boost exports and diversify Nigeria’s economy if businesses are equipped to participate effectively.

Industry Perspective

Business leaders have increasingly called for stronger cultural and language training as Nigeria expands trade partnerships with Asia.

Some warn that without these skills, local companies risk missing out on opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure, and digital technology.

What’s Next

NCSP said it will continue to promote knowledge exchange programmes and encourage young entrepreneurs to adopt long-term, systems-driven business models.

“Language is the entry point, but understanding is the advantage,” Tegbe said.

“As we strengthen Nigeria–China relations, we must equip our people especially young entrepreneurs with the tools to engage, compete, and collaborate effectively on a global scale.”

Nigeria’s Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership has congratulated China on its Spring Festival, marking 55 years of diplomatic relations between both countries.

Joseph Tegbe said the anniversary signals what he described as a “new dawn” in economic cooperation between Nigeria and China.

The Spring Festival celebration coincides with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties established in 1971 between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

Tegbe said the relationship has grown from simple diplomatic exchanges into one of Africa’s most significant economic partnerships.

Why It Matters

China is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners and a key investor in infrastructure.

Over the years, Chinese-backed projects have supported rail lines, ports, power plants and industrial parks, shaping Nigeria’s transport and energy landscape.

Now elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Tegbe said both countries are entering a new phase focused on higher-value economic integration.

He pointed to China’s recently announced Zero-Tariff initiative for qualifying African exports as a major opportunity.

“The Zero-Tariff Agreement offers Nigerian producers enhanced access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets and creates a strategic pathway for export diversification and job creation,” he said.

For Nigeria, which has long depended on oil exports, expanding non-oil trade is seen as critical to stabilising the economy and creating jobs.

A Shift Towards Export-Led Growth

Tegbe described the current phase of Nigeria–China relations as one driven by industrial upgrading and export expansion.

He said success under the Zero-Tariff framework would depend on “disciplined execution, quality compliance, and strong private sector participation.”

According to him, the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership is already engaging stakeholders to ensure Nigeria fully leverages the preferential trade window.

The goal, he said, is to translate diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic outcomes.

What’s Next?

As both countries celebrate the milestone anniversary, policymakers are expected to focus on implementing trade facilitation measures.

“As we celebrate 55 years of partnership, the Spring Festival’s spirit of renewal reflects the next phase of China–Nigeria relations, one defined by deeper economic integration, industrial upgrading, and shared prosperity,” Tegbe concluded.