Nigeria, Malaysia trade hits N1.82tn in five-year Surge

By: Amarachi Okonkwo 

Nigeria’s trade relationship with Malaysia has deepened significantly, with total bilateral trade reaching approximately N1.82 trillion over the past five years, according to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed that imports from Malaysia rose sharply from N159.9 billion in 2020 to N716.0 billion in 2024, underscoring the growing importance of Malaysia as a key trading partner to Nigeria.

Maiwada noted that the upward trade trajectory reflects strengthening economic ties between both countries, particularly in critical import categories such as crude palm oil, refined palm olein, jet fuel, food products, machinery, and other industrial inputs essential to Nigeria’s economy.

The latest development comes amid renewed efforts by the NCS to deepen international customs cooperation and improve trade facilitation frameworks. As part of this push, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, recently visited the headquarters of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

The visit, which took place on the sidelines of the DSA Malaysia 2026, provided a platform for high-level bilateral discussions focused on institutional collaboration, customs modernisation, and coordinated border management systems.

During the engagement, Adeniyi was received by the Director-General of the RMCD, Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad. Both leaders explored strategies to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen regulatory compliance, and improve cross-border trade processes.

A key outcome of the discussions was the recognition of a longstanding gap in formal legal frameworks governing customs cooperation between the two countries. Despite robust trade relations, both administrations acknowledged the absence of a structured agreement to guide collaboration.

To address this, Nigeria and Malaysia agreed to initiate the process of establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) under the framework of the World Customs Organization. The proposed agreement is expected to formalise cooperation, enhance trust, and promote reciprocal trade facilitation measures through official diplomatic channels.

Speaking during the meeting, Adeniyi emphasised that the scale and consistent growth of bilateral trade necessitate a more structured customs-to-customs partnership. He highlighted the critical role of customs authorities in enabling legitimate trade while safeguarding national economic and security interests.

He also pointed to ongoing reforms within the NCS, including the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other trade facilitation initiatives aimed at ensuring faster cargo clearance, reducing transaction costs, and improving compliance among traders.

Both parties further stressed the importance of deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing, enforcement coordination, and the deployment of technology-driven border management systems. These measures are seen as vital in combating illicit trade, smuggling, and transnational trafficking.

As part of broader engagement activities, Adeniyi also visited Nigeria’s diplomatic and defence missions in Malaysia, where he commended their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s strategic interests and supporting citizens abroad.

The Malaysian customs authority, in turn, showcased its evolving border management structure, including the establishment of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, an integrated frontline system designed to streamline border operations and enhance national security.

The NCS reaffirmed that outcomes from the bilateral engagement will strengthen operational capacity, improve trade facilitation, and reinforce border security, while supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and global trade integration objectives.