By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has presented its impact-driven reform communication strategy at the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organization (WCO), held at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels from 25 to 27 February 2026.
Addressing delegates from Customs administrations across the globe, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a paper titled “Communicating the Results of Capacity-Building Initiatives More Effectively: Nigeria Customs Service Experience and Lessons Learned.”
Maiwada explained that under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council, the NCS has deliberately shifted from routine activity-based reporting to evidence-based storytelling that highlights reform outcomes and measurable institutional impact.
According to him, the Service’s reform communication framework is anchored on three core pillars: institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder capacity engagement.
“The Service’s reform communication framework is structured around three core pillars: institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder capacity engagement, ensuring that reforms are not only implemented but clearly understood and trusted,” Maiwada stated.
Using the Time Release Study (TRS) as a case study, he illustrated how the NCS adopted transparent data presentation tools, including infographics, to show that a significant proportion of cargo clearance delays stemmed from systemic idle time rather than inspection procedures.
“This approach shifted the narrative from defensive explanations to performance benchmarking, strengthening shared accountability across the trade ecosystem,” he explained.
On the Advance Ruling programme, Maiwada disclosed that the Service issued 83 Advance Rulings in 2025, while registered accounts increased from 60 in December 2024 to 173 in December 2025, a 188.3 per cent growth in stakeholder participation. He added that the initiative contributed 2.9 per cent of total revenue from goods valued at ₦240.89 billion in 2025, reinforcing the role of structured communication in promoting predictability and voluntary compliance.
Highlighting progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, he revealed that about 120 companies have received full AEO certification, while 3,270 officers were trained nationwide as AEO Champions to sustain implementation and deepen stakeholder engagement.
Maiwada also referenced the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, as a landmark in the Service’s digital transformation journey, supported by continuous sensitisation and user engagement. In addition, he underscored the Customs Integrity Perception Survey as a data-driven accountability tool that has made integrity management within the Service measurable and subject to continuous assessment.
He urged WCO member administrations to integrate communication units at the design stage of reform initiatives, humanise institutional processes, sustain engagement beyond single events, and strengthen peer learning among Customs administrations.
At the close of the session, Nigeria nominated LI Yan of China Customs for the position of Chair of the 18th Session of the WCO Capacity Building Committee. The nomination received unanimous support from delegates.
As China’s Customs Attaché to Brussels since 2020, LI Yan has managed both multilateral and bilateral initiatives within the WCO and with key partners, fostering collaboration and innovation. Her four terms as Vice Chair, election as Chair at the 16th Session, and re-election at the just concluded 17th Session underscore the Committee’s confidence in her leadership.
The NCS participation at the Brussels meeting further signals Nigeria’s growing influence in global Customs governance and its commitment to institutional reform, transparency, and performance-driven public sector leadership.
