The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the World Bank Group, has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) aimed at enhancing compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices.
The programme, being implemented under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, began on June 1 and will run until June 12, 2026, at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Babatunde Olomu described the mission as a critical step towards advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and strengthening its capacity as a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration.
Olomu noted that contemporary customs administrations increasingly rely on intelligence-led, risk-based and post-clearance interventions that encourage voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and economic growth.
He said the mission would provide an opportunity to review existing processes, identify operational gaps, adopt international best practices and develop practical solutions to strengthen the Service’s Post Clearance Audit framework.
According to him, key focus areas of the programme include risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation and integrated audit systems.
He explained that an effective Post Clearance Audit system enables Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a strategic compliance management approach that enhances revenue assurance, facilitates legitimate trade, promotes transparency and strengthens public confidence.
“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system,” Olomu stated.
The ACG commended the Comptroller-General’s commitment to modernisation and capacity development while appreciating the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support for Customs reforms.
He also urged participants to actively engage throughout the programme and translate the knowledge acquired into measurable improvements in daily operations.
In his remarks, the World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission was designed to strengthen the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through exposure to modern customs practices, practical audit tools and internationally recognised methodologies.
Kajubi explained that participants would gain insights into global best practices, case management techniques and compliance management strategies adaptable to Nigeria’s operational environment.
He emphasised the importance of leveraging technology, structured case management systems and data-driven decision-making to improve audit quality, compliance monitoring and trade facilitation outcomes.
“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations,” he said.
Kajubi expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernisation objectives.
Also speaking, Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission seeks to enhance trade facilitation, optimise revenue generation and improve compliance management through a more structured and unified approach to Post Clearance Audit.
He stressed the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring mechanisms and the integration of data analytics into audit processes to improve accountability and operational efficiency.
Dutt further highlighted the importance of technology-driven solutions such as the B’Odogwu platform and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support a competency-based audit system across the Service.
During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Jubril demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, showcasing how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity Codes and other risk indicators.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities offered by the workshop and apply the knowledge gained towards achieving the strategic objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the NCS and its development partners to strengthen institutional capacity, improve compliance management and align Nigeria’s customs operations with global best practices.
