By Nkechi Eze
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged younger officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deliberately shape their careers toward becoming globally recognised experts in Post Clearance Audit (PCA), describing the discipline as a cornerstone of modern customs administration and a defining pathway for the next generation of customs professionals.
The CGC gave the charge on Thursday, January 23, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja, during the closing ceremony of the 5-day World Customs Organization (WCO) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, an intensive in-country mission focused on strengthening customs reforms with particular emphasis on Post Clearance Audit and risk-based compliance management.
Addressing participants at the end of the highly technical engagement, Adeniyi underscored the strategic importance of PCA in the contemporary customs environment, noting that mastery of emerging audit tools represents one of the most effective ways for young officers to align their professional growth with international best practices.
“For the younger officers who are here. For you, this might be the first time you’re experiencing this kind of thing. But our respected WCO experts started from somewhere. Post Clearance Audit is one of those emerging tools developed by WCO, and this is the best way in which you can start your career,” he said.
The Comptroller-General further encouraged the young officers to cultivate long-term professional aspirations anchored on excellence and global relevance.
“I want you to begin to look to your aspiration. Let it be shaped towards that dream that, one day, you can also become a PCA expert,” he added.
Describing the just-concluded 5-day programme as both insightful and transformative, Adeniyi noted that the sessions had exposed officers to advanced Post Clearance Audit tools and techniques capable of significantly enhancing their analytical capacity, professionalism, and operational effectiveness.
According to him, the workshop offered participants clearer perspectives on modern audit practices, risk management methodologies and compliance monitoring frameworks, stressing that these competencies are critical to achieving a delicate balance between facilitating legitimate trade and protecting government revenue.
He explained that the knowledge gained from the programme would directly support the Service’s broader mandate of trade facilitation, while simultaneously strengthening safeguards for national economic interests.
Reaffirming the Service’s reform trajectory, the CGC emphasised that the Nigeria Customs Service remains firmly committed to continuous institutional reform, effective collaboration with international partners and the deployment of modern customs tools in line with global standards.
“Our commitment is to ensure that Nigeria’s customs administration is fully aligned with global best practices. Engagements like this, with the WCO and other international partners, are central to that vision,” Adeniyi stated.
In his remarks, WCO Trade Facilitation Expert, James Clark, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its clear willingness to embrace reform and modern customs practices, observing that the Service has recorded commendable progress within a relatively short period.
Clark highlighted institutional commitment, sustained capacity building and the consistent application of Post Clearance Audit tools as key pillars for long-term success in customs modernisation.
“We are always looking for that time when you will reach what we call the impact level. Impact level means you have created a more effective, more facilitative trading environment. I have the utmost confidence in your ability to do this,” he remarked.
He also expressed appreciation to NCS officers for their active participation and engagement throughout the five days of intensive learning.
“I want to thank you all for your commitment this week and for engaging with the experts and with me for the past five days. Do not hesitate to reach out to us going forward,” Clark added.
The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom, ran from 19 to 23 January 2026 and focused on strengthening Nigeria’s customs reform agenda, particularly in the areas of Post Clearance Audit and risk-based compliance management.
The successful conclusion of the programme marks another significant milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing efforts to promote ease of doing business, strengthen compliance, modernise operations, and position Nigeria as a competitive, transparent and reliable trading partner on the global stage.
