The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has urged younger officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to develop global expertise in Post Clearance Audit (PCA), described it as a cornerstone for modern customs careers and a key driver of trade facilitation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the conclusion of the 5-day WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme held at NCS Headquarters in Abuja, Adeniyi emphasized that mastering emerging PCA techniques is the most effective way for new recruits to align their professional growth with international best practices.
“For the younger officers here, this might be the first time you are experiencing this. But our respected WCO experts started from somewhere. Post Clearance Audit is one of those emerging tools developed by WCO, and this is the best way to start your career,” Adeniyi said.
He encouraged the officers to aspire toward becoming PCA experts, adding, “Let your aspirations be shaped toward that dream that one day you can also become a PCA expert.”
Describing the 5-day programme as insightful and transformative, Adeniyi noted that participants were exposed to advanced audit tools and techniques that enhance analytical capacity, operational effectiveness, risk management, and compliance monitoring, all of which directly support trade facilitation while safeguarding revenue and national economic interests.
WCO Trade Facilitation Expert, James Clark, commended the NCS for its commitment to reforms and adoption of modern customs practices. He highlighted the importance of institutional commitment, capacity building, and consistent application of PCA tools in achieving long-term success, noting that Nigeria is well-positioned to deepen gains if the momentum is maintained.
“We are always looking for that time when you will reach what we call the impact level. Impact level means you have created a more effective, more facilitative trading environment. I have the utmost confidence in your ability to do this,” Clark said.
The 5-day WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of the United Kingdom, ran from 19 to 23 January 2026. It focused on strengthening customs reforms, with particular emphasis on Post Clearance Audit and risk-based compliance management.
The conclusion of the programme marks another milestone in the NCS’s ongoing efforts to promote ease of doing business, strengthen compliance, and position Nigeria as a competitive and reliable global trading partner.
