By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Kingdom International Development, is strengthening its internal anti-corruption framework through a comprehensive exercise focused on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The initiative formed part of efforts to identify vulnerabilities within Customs operations, assess associated risks and develop practical measures capable of reducing opportunities for corruption while improving transparency, accountability and efficiency across the Service.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described the WCO-supported mission as an important step towards strengthening institutional growth, integrity and corruption risk management within the Service.
Adeniyi explained that the exercise was not designed as a fault-finding mission or an avenue for apportioning blame, but rather as an opportunity for the Service to critically examine its processes, identify weaknesses and develop sustainable solutions to address them.
He said the assessment covered several critical areas of Customs operations, including regulatory and administrative procedures, clearance processes, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement and human resource management.
“The purpose of what we have therefore been doing with our partners was to identify such areas of vulnerabilities, assess the associated risk and develop practical measures to mitigate them,” the CGC stated.
According to him, the exercise would help the NCS strengthen its internal controls while improving the predictability and transparency of its operations. He added that the Service would continue to support measures aimed at simplifying processes, strengthening accountability and deploying technology to reduce unnecessary discretion in Customs procedures.
“A customs administration that is transparent, that is predictable and accountable, is better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance, and enhance public confidence,” Adeniyi noted.
The CGC said the collaboration with the WCO and the United Kingdom International Development was consistent with the Service’s broader institutional reform efforts, particularly its drive to build a modern Customs administration capable of facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining effective regulatory and enforcement responsibilities.
The World Customs Organisation Lead Technical Expert, Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended Adeniyi for his continued support for the initiative and urged members of the working group to ensure that the outcomes of the workshop receive the necessary institutional endorsement.
Zhalitov said the outcomes included a comprehensive action plan containing clear steps for advancing trade facilitation and strengthening the anti-corruption agenda within the NCS.
He stressed the importance of translating the findings of the assessment into practical institutional measures, noting that the effectiveness of the exercise would ultimately depend on sustained implementation of the agreed recommendations.
Also speaking, David Tanenbaum, WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, highlighted the progress recorded by the partnership in areas including Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), post-clearance audit and the time-release study.
Tanenbaum noted that integrity does not exist in isolation, explaining that improvements in trade facilitation and other operational areas are closely connected to the broader objective of strengthening institutional integrity.
He said the achievements recorded so far demonstrate that the partnership is producing tangible institutional and operational results, while supporting the development of more effective systems within the Customs administration.
“Our work continues to bring us closer to a systematic, preventive approach to identifying and managing corruption risks within customs operations,” he said.
The exercise is expected to strengthen the Service’s ability to identify corruption risks early, close process gaps and establish clearer procedures for managing vulnerabilities across its operations. The NCS, through the partnership, is therefore positioning the recommendations from the workshop as part of its continuing efforts to improve integrity, facilitate legitimate trade and build greater confidence in Customs processes.
