By Ajibola Adedoye
Nigeria’s customs modernisation drive received a further boost on Monday, 19 January 2026, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) launched a capacity-building engagement on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) under the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, with support from the World Bank Group (WBG).
The initiative reflects Nigeria’s growing focus on shifting customs controls beyond the border through smarter, risk-based systems that promote compliance, facilitate legitimate trade, and protect government revenue. Central to the programme is a review of earlier reform commitments and the validation of a clear roadmap for implementing priority actions, particularly in strengthening the Service’s PCA framework.
Designed as a week-long technical mission, the programme creates an opportunity to evaluate progress already made while identifying practical measures to improve transparency, efficiency, and audit-driven compliance management across customs operations.
Also Read
At the opening session, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeola, representing the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, described Post-Clearance Audit as an indispensable tool for modern customs administrations. She explained that an effective PCA system allows Customs to balance trade facilitation with revenue assurance by encouraging voluntary compliance and informed risk management.
According to her, the engagement demonstrates the value of sustained international cooperation in customs reform. She stressed that the partnership with the WCO and the World Bank Group has helped the Service adopt global best practices while building the technical capacity of its officers.
Quoting author Brian Herbert, she noted that meaningful reform depends not only on knowledge but also on institutional willingness to embrace change, adding that the Nigeria Customs Service has made a deliberate choice to entrench Post-Clearance Audit as a core operational function.
WCO Trade Facilitation Expert, James Clark, praised the NCS for the pace and depth of its reforms, observing that Nigeria’s efforts align with broader national goals of improving the ease of doing business. He highlighted the development of the PCA Manual and the steps taken to operationalise it as key milestones in building a credible, world-class audit programme within the Service.
While acknowledging that further work remains, Clark described the progress achieved so far as impressive, particularly given the complexity of implementing post-clearance controls in a dynamic trading environment.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, outlined the strategic measures adopted by the Service to strengthen risk management and compliance systems. She noted that these reforms are critical to enhancing revenue performance, facilitating trade, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.
The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs overseeing Post-Clearance Audit, Babatunde Olomu, described the programme as timely, noting that it comes at a pivotal stage in the Service’s reform journey. He expressed confidence that the engagement would further strengthen institutional capacity and embed audit-based compliance as a sustainable practice within the NCS.
Running from 19 to 23 January 2026, the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme reinforces the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to continuous improvement, global collaboration, and reforms aimed at promoting efficient trade, transparency, and long-term economic growth.
For your Press Conferences/Adverts/Media Consultancy/Support
Contact the Editor via WhatsApp +2348026940472/+2348032339384 or Email: news@dailyinsight.com.ng & shinaayo110@gmail.com