The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the World Bank Group (WBG), has commenced the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme to strengthen trade facilitation, enhance compliance, and deepen customs modernisation in Nigeria.
The programme, which began on Monday, 19 January 2026, is focused on reviewing agreed reform objectives and confirming strategic approaches for implementing key initiatives, particularly in the area of Post-Clearance Audit (PCA). It also provided an opportunity to assess progress made so far while identifying practical measures to improve efficiency, transparency, and risk-based compliance management across customs operations.
Speaking at the opening session, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeola, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described Post-Clearance Audit as a critical pillar of modern customs administration. She noted that an effective PCA framework supports informed risk management, strengthens voluntary compliance, and facilitates legitimate trade without compromising revenue assurance.
She further emphasised that the programme reflects the strong partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the WCO, adding that it demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening PCA frameworks, enhancing officers’ technical competencies, and institutionalising best practices that promote voluntary compliance while safeguarding government revenue.
Also addressing participants, a Trade Facilitation Expert with the WCO, James Clark, commended the NCS for the significant progress achieved within a short period. He observed that Nigeria’s trade facilitation reforms align with global best practices and reflect a broader national drive to improve the ease of doing business.
According to him, the development of the PCA Manual and steps taken to operationalise it underscore the Service’s commitment to building a world-class Post-Clearance Audit programme, noting that while more work remains, the progress recorded so far is commendable.
In her remarks, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, highlighted deliberate efforts by the Service to strengthen Post-Clearance Audit and risk management systems in order to enhance compliance, improve revenue collection, facilitate legitimate trade, and protect national economic interests.
Similarly, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Post-Clearance Audit, Babatunde Olomu, described the week-long programme as timely and strategic, noting that it comes at a critical stage in the Service’s ongoing reform process and will further strengthen institutional capacity for audit-driven compliance and trade facilitation.
The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which run from 19 to 23 January 2026, underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to sustained collaboration with international partners in promoting efficient trade, transparency, and economic growth.
