Nigeria Customs Deepens Global Integrity Partnership, Earns WCO Commendation

Nigeria Customs Deepens Global Integrity Partnership, Earns WCO Commendation

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) on anti-corruption and institutional integrity, earning commendation from the global body.

This followed a high-level engagement at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, during a working visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who also chairs the WCO Council.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the meeting focused on advancing integrity reforms under the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme.

According to the statement, discussions centred on “integrity capacity-building initiatives, the development of integrity-focused standard operating procedures, and the planned conduct of an integrity risk assessment exercise in 2026.”

The WCO team also outlined its strategic direction for the next phase of the programme, with emphasis on strengthening safeguards within automated customs systems and trade facilitation processes.

The global body commended the NCS for its active participation in its integrity survey and for approving the release of the findings.

The statement noted that the decision “reflects a strong institutional commitment to transparency and accountability,” adding that the outcomes highlight the impact of ongoing reforms within the service.

These reforms include improved valuation review mechanisms, strengthened post-clearance audit processes, and the implementation of the Voluntary Disclosure Framework under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Responding, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the partnership and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to sustaining the collaboration.

He emphasised that “institutional integrity remains a critical pillar for building public trust and enhancing the credibility of customs administrations, particularly in an increasingly complex global trade environment.”

Both parties agreed on key steps to consolidate progress, including publishing the integrity survey results, establishing a dedicated implementation working group, and integrating recommendations into customs operations.

In a related development, the Comptroller-General also held talks with the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, where they reviewed ongoing activities of the organisation’s Policy Commission and Council.

The NCS said the renewed partnership aligns with its broader reform agenda aimed at improving efficiency, boosting revenue collection, and strengthening public confidence in customs administration.