The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has presented its impact-focused reform communication model at the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organization, WCO held in Brussels from February 25 to 27, 2026.
Delivering a presentation titled “Communicating the Results of Capacity-Building Initiatives More Effectively: Nigeria Customs Service Experience and Lessons Learned,” the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, highlighted the agency’s shift from routine activity reporting to evidence-based storytelling that demonstrates measurable reform outcomes.
Maiwada noted that under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council, the Service has restructured its reform communication around three core pillars: institutional capacity building, human resource development and stakeholder capacity engagement.
According to him, the approach ensures that reforms are not only implemented but also clearly understood and trusted by stakeholders.
Using the Time Release Study (TRS) as a case study, Maiwada explained how the Service deployed transparent data presentation tools, including infographics, to show that a significant share of cargo clearance delays stemmed from systemic idle time rather than inspection procedures.
He said this strategy shifted the narrative from defensive explanations to performance benchmarking, strengthening shared accountability across the trade ecosystem.
On the Advance Ruling programme, he disclosed that 83 Advance Rulings were issued in 2025, with registered accounts increasing from 60 in December 2024 to 173 in December 2025, representing a 188.3 per cent rise in stakeholder participation. The initiative accounted for 2.9 per cent of total revenue from goods valued at ₦240.89 billion in 2025.
Maiwada also highlighted progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, revealing that about 120 companies have received full AEO certification, while 3,270 officers were trained nationwide as AEO Champions to sustain implementation and deepen engagement.
He referenced the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, as a milestone in the Service’s digital transformation drive, supported by sustained sensitisation and user engagement.
He further cited the Customs Integrity Perception Survey as a data-driven mechanism for strengthening accountability and enhancing public trust.
Maiwada encouraged WCO member administrations to integrate communication units at the design stage of reform initiatives, humanise institutional processes and sustain stakeholder engagement beyond one-off events.
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. LI Yan, China’s Customs Attaché to Brussels since 2020, has previously served four terms as Vice Chair and was elected Chair at the 16th Session before being re-elected at the just-concluded 17th Session.
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