Customs, WCO, UK Development Agency Move Against Corruption Risks

By Adebola Muili

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced measures to identify and address corruption vulnerabilities in its operations as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.

The initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Kingdom International Development through a workshop on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described the exercise as a significant step towards strengthening institutional growth, integrity and corruption risk management within the Service.

Adeniyi said the exercise was not designed to apportion blame, but to enable the Service to examine its processes, identify areas of weakness and develop sustainable measures to address them.

“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,” he said.

He explained that the assessment covered key Customs processes, including regulatory and administrative procedures, cargo clearance, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement and human resource management.

The CGC said the Service would continue to support measures aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and internal controls, while simplifying processes and deploying technology to reduce unnecessary discretion in Customs operations.

“A customs administration that is transparent, that is predictable and accountable, is better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance, and enhance public confidence,” he noted.

Also speaking, the WCO Lead Technical Expert for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended Adeniyi for his continued support for the initiative.

Zhalitov urged the workshop’s working group to champion the endorsement of its outcomes, particularly the comprehensive action plan outlining steps towards advancing trade facilitation and strengthening the anti-corruption agenda.

The WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, David Tanenbaum, highlighted progress recorded in areas including Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), post-clearance audit and the time-release study.

Tanenbaum said the achievements demonstrated that the partnership was producing tangible institutional and operational results, stressing the need for a systematic and preventive approach to corruption risk management.

“Our work continues to bring us closer to a systematic, preventive approach to identifying and managing corruption risks within customs operations,” he said.