The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has commended Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS), asserting that it is a reform capable of enhancing national security, strengthening border efficiency, and boosting trade competitiveness within African trade corridors.
The Secretary of WCO, Ian Saunders, gave the commendation during the presentation of the TRS Report at Tin Can Island Port on Monday.
Saunders noted that the study provides Nigeria with “specific and objective insights” into how its border clearance processes function and where targeted improvements can be made.
He explained that the TRS, implemented with support from the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, goes beyond policy formulation by translating reform goals into measurable operational outcomes.
“The findings of this study provide Nigeria with a clear opportunity to deliver equally clear improvements that will strengthen both the economy and the safety of the country,” Saunders said.
He emphasised that the TRS is one of the WCO’s core performance measurement tools, widely deployed by Customs administrations globally to improve transparency, predictability and efficiency without compromising security.
Saunders affirmed that while Customs plays a central role in trade facilitation, the successful implementation of TRS recommendations requires collective action involving government agencies, the private sector and the broader trading community.
“Trade facilitation is not achieved by policy alone. It is realised through consistent, efficient and sound practices. The Time Release Study shows what is working, what is not, and where leadership and investment are required,” he added.
In her keynote address, the Minister of State for Finance and Special Guest of Honour, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said that the Time Release Study aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to data-driven reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
Minister Uzoka-Anite described the TRS as a strategic policy instrument that enables governments to objectively measure performance, identify bottlenecks and strengthen transparency within the trade ecosystem.
“The Time Release Study is not merely a diagnostic exercise; it is a reform tool that supports smarter regulation, evidence-based decision-making and improved coordination across border agencies,” she explained.
The Minister noted that efficient clearance processes are essential to investor confidence and economic growth, adding that competitiveness in global trade is increasingly defined by speed, certainty, and compliance.
She further assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s continued support for reforms that modernise border management, strengthen institutional capacity and promote collaboration among agencies involved in trade regulation.
In her remarks, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, applauded the Service for taking the lead in addressing systemic bottlenecks and strengthening trade facilitation processes, noting that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving efficiency across Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
On his part, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service is institutionalising the Time Release Study as part of its broader reform agenda to improve cargo clearance efficiency and service delivery.
CGC Adeniyi stressed that the study provides credible data on cargo dwell time, enabling Customs and partner agencies to identify procedural overlaps, eliminate delays and streamline clearance processes.
“The Time Release Study allows us to move from assumptions to facts. It tells us exactly where time is lost and where reforms must be focused to achieve measurable improvements,” he said.
Adeniyi reiterated the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining strict compliance and security standards, pointing out that faster clearance must go hand in hand with adequate controls.
Similarly, the representative of the United Kingdom High Commission to Nigeria commended the NCS for proactively adopting WCO trade facilitation tools, particularly the TRS scheme, supported by an initiative of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Strategic Research and Policy (SR&P) Department, DCG Dera Nnadi, also shared insights from the TRS report, stating that the outcome of the study will guide operational adjustments, policy refinement and infrastructure planning, as the Service works with stakeholders to deliver a more predictable and efficient trade environment.
