The World Customs Organisation, WCO, has described Nigeria’s Time Release Study, TRS, as a practical, evidence-based reform capable of improving border efficiency, strengthening safety and boosting trade competitiveness across Africa’s trade corridors.
The WCO Secretary-General, Mr. Ian Saunders, made the remark on Monday, January 26, 2026, during the presentation of the TRS Report at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. He said the study provides Nigeria with “specific and objective insights” into how its border clearance processes function and where targeted improvements are required.
According to Saunders, the TRS, implemented with the support of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, goes beyond policy formulation by translating reform objectives 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,” he said.
He noted that the Time Release Study is one of the WCO’s core performance measurement tools, widely used by Customs administrations globally to enhance transparency, predictability and efficiency without compromising security.
Saunders stressed that while Customs plays a central role in trade facilitation, successful implementation of TRS recommendations requires collective action involving government agencies, the private sector and the wider trading community.
“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 added.
In a keynote address, the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the TRS aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to data-driven reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
She described the study 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 noted that efficient clearance processes are critical to investor confidence and economic growth, adding that global trade competitiveness is increasingly defined by speed, certainty and compliance. She assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s continued support for reforms that modernise border management, strengthen institutional capacity and promote inter-agency collaboration.
Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for taking the lead in addressing systemic bottlenecks and strengthening trade facilitation processes, describing the initiative as a reflection of the government’s resolve to improve efficiency across the trade ecosystem.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service is institutionalising the Time Release Study as part of its broader reform agenda to enhance cargo clearance efficiency and service delivery.
Adeniyi explained that the study provides credible data on cargo dwell time, enabling Customs and partner agencies to identify procedural overlaps, eliminate delays and streamline clearance processes.
“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 reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining strict compliance and security standards, noting that faster clearance must go hand in hand with effective controls.
Similarly, a representative of the United Kingdom High Commission to Nigeria commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive adoption of WCO trade facilitation tools, particularly the TRS, which is supported through an initiative of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Providing insights from the report, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, Mrs. Dera Nnadi, said the findings of the study will guide operational adjustments, policy refinement and infrastructure planning as Customs works with stakeholders to deliver a more predictable, efficient and competitive trade environment.
