By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) in partnership with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, as part of efforts to strengthen compliance management, revenue assurance and trade facilitation through modern audit practices.
The workshop, which began on June 1 and will run until June 12, is being held at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the mission as an important step in advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and reinforcing its capacity as a technology-driven, intelligence-led and globally competitive customs administration.
Olomu said customs administrations across the world are increasingly relying on intelligence-led, risk-based and post-clearance interventions that encourage voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and economic growth.
He noted that the engagement would provide an opportunity for the Service to review existing processes, identify operational gaps, adopt global best practices and develop practical solutions for strengthening its Post Clearance Audit framework.
According to him, the mission will focus on critical areas including risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation and integrated audit systems.
He further stated that an effective Post Clearance Audit system allows Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a broader compliance management approach that enhances revenue collection, facilitates trade, promotes transparency and strengthens public confidence.
“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system,” Olomu said.
He commended the Comptroller-General for sustaining reforms and capacity-building initiatives within the Service, while also appreciating the World Bank Group and other development partners for their continued support.
Olomu urged participants to take full advantage of the programme and ensure that lessons from the workshop translate into measurable improvements in operational performance.
Speaking during the opening session, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission was designed to strengthen the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through modern customs practices, practical audit tools and internationally recognised methodologies.
Kajubi explained that participants would be exposed to global best practices, case management techniques and compliance management strategies that could be adapted to Nigeria’s customs environment.
He stressed the importance of technology, structured case management systems and data-driven decision-making in improving audit quality, compliance monitoring and trade facilitation outcomes.
“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations,” he said.
Kajubi expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the modernisation objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Also speaking, Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission was aimed at improving trade facilitation, optimising revenue generation and strengthening compliance management through a more coordinated approach to Post Clearance Audit.
He emphasised the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring systems and the integration of data analytics into audit processes to improve accountability and operational efficiency.
Dutt also highlighted the role of technology-driven solutions, including the B’Odogwu platform, as well as the development of Standard Operating Procedures to support a competency-based audit system across the Service.
During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Jubril demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, explaining how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to maximise the knowledge gained from the workshop and apply it towards achieving the strategic goals of the Nigeria Customs Service.
