By Nkechi Eze
The Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Ian Saunders, has hailed Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS) as a critical, evidence-based reform instrument capable of transforming border operations, strengthening efficiency along African trade corridors, enhancing national safety, and boosting Nigeria’s overall trade competitiveness.
Saunders made this assertion on Monday, 26 January 2026, during the official presentation of the Time Release Study Report conducted at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. He described the study as a practical tool that provides Nigeria with “specific and objective insights” into how its border clearance processes currently function and where targeted, high-impact improvements can be introduced.
According to the WCO chief, the TRS, which was implemented with the support of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, goes beyond policy intentions by converting reform ambitions 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 explained that the Time Release Study remains one of the WCO’s core performance measurement tools, widely used by Customs administrations across the world to enhance transparency, predictability and efficiency of border procedures without undermining security requirements.
Saunders further emphasised that although Customs administrations play a central coordinating role in trade facilitation, the real value of the TRS lies in its ability to foster collective action.
“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 stated.
He added that the successful implementation of TRS recommendations demands close collaboration among government agencies, the private sector and the wider trading community, stressing that sustainable reform is only possible when all stakeholders take ownership of the process.
Delivering a keynote address as Special Guest of Honour, the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, described the Time Release Study as fully aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to data-driven reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs across Nigeria’s ports and border stations.
She characterised 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,” the Minister said.
Uzoka-Anite underscored that efficient and predictable clearance processes are vital to investor confidence and economic growth, noting that competitiveness in global trade is increasingly determined by speed, certainty and compliance.
She assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s sustained support for reforms that modernise border management systems, strengthen institutional capacity and deepen collaboration among agencies involved in trade regulation and facilitation.
Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for taking a leadership role in confronting long-standing systemic bottlenecks within the port environment.
She noted that the conduct of the Time Release Study reflects the Federal Government’s broader commitment to improving efficiency, transparency and coordination across Nigeria’s entire trade ecosystem.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the Nigeria Customs Service is institutionalising the Time Release Study as a permanent feature of its reform agenda, aimed at improving cargo clearance efficiency and overall service delivery.
CGC Adeniyi explained that the study generates credible, objective data on cargo dwell time and process delays, enabling Customs and its partner agencies to pinpoint procedural overlaps, eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks and streamline clearance workflows.
“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.
He stressed that while the Service is determined to facilitate legitimate trade, this objective will always be pursued alongside strict compliance and robust security standards.
“Faster clearance must go hand in hand with adequate controls,” the Comptroller-General added.
Similarly, a representative of the United Kingdom High Commission to Nigeria commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive adoption of World Customs Organisation trade facilitation tools, particularly the Time Release Study scheme, which is supported under an initiative of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The representative described Nigeria’s engagement with the TRS as a demonstration of strong international cooperation and a shared commitment to modern, efficient and secure border management.
Providing technical insights from the study, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Strategic Research and Policy (SR&P), Dera Nnadi, stated that the outcomes of the Time Release Study will directly inform operational adjustments, policy refinement and infrastructure planning.
He noted that the Service will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to translate the study’s findings into practical interventions that deliver a more predictable, transparent and efficient trade environment.
The presentation of the TRS Report at Tin Can Island Port marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernise its border procedures, strengthen inter-agency cooperation and position the country as a more competitive and reliable trading hub within Africa and the global economy.
