Workshop targets stronger internal controls, transparency, trade facilitation, corruption prevention
By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Kingdom International Development in a renewed effort to improve its internal anti-corruption framework through corruption risk analysis, risk mapping and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The initiative formed part of a workshop aimed at identifying vulnerabilities within key Customs operations and developing practical measures to mitigate corruption risks and strengthen institutional integrity.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop held on Friday, 21 August 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described the WCO-supported mission as an important step towards strengthening institutional growth, integrity and corruption risk management within the Service.
Adeniyi stressed that the exercise was not designed to find fault or apportion blame, but to enable the Service to critically examine its processes, identify areas of weakness and develop sustainable solutions.
According to him, the assessment covered several critical Customs processes, including regulatory and administrative procedures, cargo clearance, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement, as well as 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,” the CGC said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, stronger internal controls, process simplification and greater use of technology to minimise unnecessary discretion in Customs operations.
Adeniyi noted that strengthening these areas would not only improve the integrity of the Service but also enhance trade facilitation and public confidence.
“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 CGC’s position underscores the importance of preventive measures in tackling corruption risks, particularly in an institution whose activities have a direct impact on international trade, revenue collection, enforcement and the movement of goods across Nigeria’s borders.
The World Customs Organisation Lead Technical Expert for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended the CGC for his continued support for the initiative and urged members of the working group to ensure the endorsement and implementation of the outcomes of the workshop.
Zhalitov said the outcomes include a comprehensive action plan containing clear steps aimed at advancing trade facilitation and strengthening the anti-corruption agenda within the Nigeria Customs Service.
He stressed the need for the working group to sustain the momentum generated by the workshop by translating the identified risks and recommendations into concrete institutional actions.
Also speaking, David Tanenbaum, WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, highlighted progress recorded in areas including Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), post-clearance audit and the time-release study.
Tanenbaum noted that integrity could not be treated as an isolated issue, stressing that it must be integrated into broader Customs reforms and operational improvements.
According to him, the achievements recorded through the partnership demonstrate that the collaboration is producing 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 said.
The workshop therefore represents another step in the NCS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its internal systems and create a more transparent, predictable and accountable Customs administration.
Through the collaboration with the WCO and the United Kingdom International Development, the Service is expected to build on the identified areas of vulnerability, strengthen internal controls and develop practical Standard Operating Procedures that can help reduce corruption risks while improving efficiency and trade facilitation.
No Comment! Be the first one.