As Nigeria Customs Concludes 5-Day WCO Trade Facilitation In-Country Mission
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has urged younger officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deliberately build global-level expertise in Post-Clearance Audit (PCA), describing it as a defining skill for modern customs professionals and a critical driver of trade facilitation.
Adeniyi gave the charge at the conclusion of the five-day World Customs Organization (WCO) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which ended on January 23, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja. He stressed that mastering emerging audit tools such as PCA provides a clear pathway for young officers to align their careers with international best practices.
“For the younger officers who are here, this might be your first exposure to this kind of engagement,” the CGC said. “But our respected WCO experts started from somewhere. Post-Clearance Audit is one of those emerging tools developed by the WCO, and it represents the best way to begin building a strong and relevant customs career.”
He encouraged participants to set long-term professional goals rooted in excellence and global relevance. “Begin to shape your aspirations toward the dream that, one day, you too can become a PCA expert,” he added.
Describing the programme as both insightful and transformative, Adeniyi noted that the sessions exposed officers to advanced PCA tools and methodologies that would significantly enhance their analytical skills and operational effectiveness. According to him, the training offered clearer perspectives on modern audit practices, risk management, and compliance monitoring—key elements required to facilitate trade while protecting government revenue and national economic interests.
The CGC reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sustained reform, stronger collaboration with international partners, and the deployment of modern customs tools to align Nigeria’s customs administration with global standards.
Speaking at the event, WCO Trade Facilitation Expert, Mr. James Clark, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its openness to reform and adoption of modern customs practices, noting that the Service has recorded commendable progress within a relatively short period.
Clark emphasized that long-term success depends on institutional commitment, continuous capacity building, and consistent application of Post-Clearance Audit tools. He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to deepen its gains if the current momentum is sustained.
“We are always looking toward what we call the impact level—where you have created a more effective and more facilitative trading environment,” Clark said. “I have the utmost confidence in your ability to achieve this.”
He also thanked participants for their active engagement throughout the programme, encouraging ongoing collaboration with WCO experts beyond the training.
The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom, was held from January 19 to 23, 2026. It focused on strengthening customs reforms, with particular emphasis on Post-Clearance Audit and risk-based compliance management.
The successful conclusion of the programme marks another milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing efforts to promote ease of doing business, enhance compliance, and position Nigeria as a competitive and reliable trading partner on the global stage.
