Lagos, Nigeria — August 17, 2025 | The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have commenced a joint training programme in Lagos to strengthen surveillance and security operations across the country’s waterways.
The initiative, flagged off at the weekend, is aimed at building capacity to combat smuggling, illegal migration, and other cross-border crimes that undermine Nigeria’s maritime security and economic stability.
Officials said the training will focus on intelligence sharing, patrol coordination, and the deployment of advanced technologies to improve efficiency. Senior officers from both agencies explained that the collaboration underscores the federal government’s renewed commitment to securing coastal routes often exploited by criminal networks.
Maritime experts note that Nigeria’s move mirrors similar joint operations in West Africa. Ghana, for instance, has successfully reduced piracy through Navy–Customs patrols, while Benin and Togo have coordinated surveillance efforts to curb fuel smuggling. Regional frameworks such as the ECOWAS security pact and the Yaoundé Code of Conduct have also provided a platform for joint action against piracy and cross-border crime in the Gulf of Guinea.
NCS and NIS officers stressed that the programme will reduce duplication of efforts, foster synergy, and promote safe navigation essential for trade and revenue generation. They assured that protecting Nigeria’s waterways remains critical, not only to national security but also to boosting investor confidence in the maritime sector.
