WCO, World Bank Train Nigeria Customs on Post-Clearance Audit

By Oluwakemi Kindness

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 customs modernisation, enhancing compliance, and improving trade facilitation in Nigeria.

The programme, which began on Monday, 19 January 2026, focuses on reviewing agreed reform objectives and confirming strategic approaches for implementing key initiatives, particularly in the area of Post-Clearance Audit (PCA).

A statement on Wednesday by Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, it also provides an opportunity to assess progress made so far and identify practical measures to improve efficiency, transparency, and risk-based compliance management across 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 critical pillar of modern customs administration.

She noted that an effective PCA framework supports informed risk management, strengthens voluntary compliance, and facilitates legitimate trade without undermining revenue assurance.

“This mission underscores the strong partnership between the WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service. It reflects our shared commitment to strengthening PCA frameworks, enhancing officers’ technical competencies, and institutionalising best practices that promote voluntary compliance while safeguarding revenue,” Adeola said.

Quoting author Brian Herbert, she added: “The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill, but the willingness to learn is a choice. The Nigeria Customs Service has chosen to make PCA work in our country.”

Also speaking, James Clark, a Trade Facilitation Expert with the WCO, commended the NCS for the progress achieved within a short period, describing Nigeria’s reforms as a reflection of broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business and align customs procedures with global best practices.

“The creation of the PCA Manual was an impressive achievement. Beyond that, the steps taken to operationalise it and the commitment to building a world-class PCA programme within the NCS have been remarkable,” Clark said, adding that while more work remains, the progress recorded so far is commendable.

In her remarks, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, highlighted deliberate steps taken by the Service to strengthen Post-Clearance Audit and risk management systems.

She said the reforms are aimed at enhancing compliance, improving revenue collection, facilitating legitimate trade, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.

Similarly, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Post-Clearance Audit, Babatunde Olomu, described the week-long programme as timely and strategic, noting that it comes at a critical stage in the Service’s reform journey and will further strengthen institutional capacity in audit-driven compliance and trade facilitation.

The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which runs from 19 to 23 January 2026, highlights the Nigeria Customs Service’s continued collaboration with international partners to drive reforms that promote efficient trade, transparency, and sustainable economic growth.