The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has partnered with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Kingdom International Development to strengthen anti-corruption measures and improve integrity across its operations.
The partnership focuses on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening preventive controls within the Service.
The initiative was highlighted during the closing ceremony of a workshop held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the WCO-supported mission as an important step towards strengthening institutional growth, integrity and corruption risk management within the Service.
Adeniyi said the exercise was not about fault-finding or apportioning blame but about enabling the Service to examine its systems, identify weaknesses and develop sustainable solutions.
He explained that the assessment covered critical Customs processes, including regulatory and administrative procedures, clearance processes, 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.
The Comptroller General reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to measures that promote transparency, accountability, stronger internal controls, process simplification and the increased use of technology to reduce unnecessary discretion in Customs operations.
According to him, strengthening integrity within the Service would not only address corruption risks but also enhance trade facilitation, improve compliance and boost 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,” Adeniyi noted.
The WCO Lead Technical Expert, Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended the Comptroller General for his continued support and urged the working group to champion the endorsement of the workshop outcomes.
Zhalitov said the outcomes included a comprehensive action plan outlining clear steps to advance trade facilitation while strengthening the anti-corruption agenda of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Also speaking, the WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, David Tanenbaum, highlighted achievements recorded through the partnership in areas such as Authorised Economic Operator, post-clearance audit and the time-release study.
Tanenbaum stressed that integrity was interconnected with broader institutional reforms, noting that the progress recorded demonstrated tangible operational and institutional 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 partnership is expected to support the NCS in institutionalising preventive measures against corruption while promoting transparent, predictable and efficient Customs processes.
