The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in partnership with the World Customs Organisation, WCO and the World Bank Group, WBG, has commenced the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme aimed at strengthening Post-Clearance Audit, PCA, and enhancing trade facilitation in Nigeria.
The programme, which began on Monday, January 19, 2026, is designed to review agreed reform objectives, assess progress, and identify practical steps to improve efficiency, transparency, and risk-based compliance management within customs operations.
Speaking at the opening session, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeola, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described Post-Clearance Audit as a core component of modern customs administration.
She noted that an effective PCA framework promotes voluntary compliance, supports informed risk management, and facilitates legitimate trade while safeguarding revenue.
“This mission reflects the strong partnership between the WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service and our shared commitment to strengthening PCA frameworks and institutionalising global best practices,” she said, adding that the Service has deliberately chosen to entrench PCA as a functional compliance tool.
WCO Trade Facilitation Expert, James Clark, commended the NCS for the progress recorded in implementing trade facilitation reforms, particularly the development and operationalisation of the PCA Manual.
“What has been achieved within a short period is impressive. While there is still work ahead, the commitment shown so far is commendable,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the Service has taken deliberate steps to strengthen audit and risk management systems to enhance compliance, improve revenue generation, and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.
The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Post-Clearance Audit, Babatunde Olomu, described the week-long programme as timely, noting that it would further build institutional capacity in audit-driven compliance and trade facilitation.
The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme runs from January 19 to 23, 2026, and reinforces the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to customs modernisation through collaboration with international partners.
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