The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its partnership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and UK International Development to tackle corruption.
This follows an initiative to strengthen the Service’s internal anti-corruption framework through a workshop focused on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
During the closing ceremony on Friday, August 21, 2026, at NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated that the WCO-supported mission was an important step towards strengthening institutional growth, integrity, and corruption risk management.
CGC Adeniyi also explained that the exercise had nothing to do with fault-finding or apportioning blame; rather, it allowed the system to look at itself, identify weaknesses, and develop sustainable solutions.
He stressed that the assessment was designed to cover key Customs processes, including regulatory and administrative procedures, clearance processes, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement, and human resource management.
“The purpose of what we have therefore been doing with our partners was to identify such areas of vulnerabilities, assess the associated risk and develop practical measures to mitigate them,” he said.
The CGC affirmed that the Service would continue to support measures that strengthen transparency, accountability, internal controls, process simplification, and the use of technology to reduce unnecessary discretion.
“A customs administration that is transparent, that is predictable and accountable, is better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance, and enhance public confidence,” he stated.
The World Customs Organisation Lead Technical Expert, Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended the CGC for his continued support.
Zhalitov urged the working group to champion the adoption of the workshop outcomes, including a comprehensive action plan outlining clear steps to advance trade facilitation and strengthen the anti-corruption agenda.
Also speaking, the WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, David Tanenbaum, outlined achievements in Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), post-clearance audit, and the time-release study, noting that integrity does not exist in a vacuum.
Tanenbaum emphasised that the achievements demonstrate that the partnership is delivering tangible institutional and operational results.
“Our work continues to bring us closer to a systematic, preventive approach to identifying and managing corruption risks within customs operations,” he added.
