Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
A major revolution in Nigeria’s customs service is gradually transforming it from a vision discussed in policy circles into a practical reality that is reshaping commerce, governance, innovation, and youth empowerment.
The major driver of this transformational change is the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, whose leadership has continued to redefne the trajectory of Nigeria’s customs service through deliberate investment in digital infrastructure and human capital development.
It is globally acknowledged that the essential hallmarks of a good leader include clear communication, high self-awareness, deep integrity, and a strong commitment to empowering others. These are the qualities that enabled Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi to navigate his revolutionary strides at the Nigeria Customs Service.
Adewale Adeniyi and his team at Nigeria customs service have championed this transformation through deliberate and
intentional policies. This transformation did not happen by accident. It is the direct outcome of intentional policies, strategic reforms, and infrastructure expansion.
Another achievement of the Nigeria Customs Service is trade facilitation, border security, and economic development. Worthy of note is the service’s record-breaking N6.1 trillion revenue collection in 2024, which exceeded its target by 20.2% and marked a 90.4% year on – year increase. This milestone is attributed to strategic reforms, innovative processes, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as the indigenous B’Odogwu customs clearance platform, which has processed transactions worth billions of naira.
Also, it is noteworthy that trade facilitation initiatives, including the advanced Ruling System and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which have reduced clearance delays and disputes, contributing to a 66.9% reduction in cargo clearance time for certified AEO companies.
Another achievement worth of highlighting is the installation of security systems. This has enabled the Service’s success in tackling global risks, including anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, and wildlife protection. For instance, in 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service seized narcotics worth billions of Naira, intercepted illegal wildlife shipments valued at N5.93 billion, and deployed geo-spatial integration and enhanced risk assessment protocols to strengthen border security.
This trade facilitation efforts managed imports valued at N60.29 trillion and exports worth N136.65 trillion in concessions to promote industrial growth. With these efforts, the Nigeria Customs Service has expressed its firm commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda.
Another major achievement of the Nigeria Customs Service is its understanding that transformation must be collaborative, which informed its robust engagement with stakeholders across government institutions, the private sector, and academia to enhance inclusion and sustainability.
Furthermore, Service’s commitment to strengthening integrity, transparency, and accountability through institutional reforms are helping to mitigate corruption and promote ethical conduct among officers. Similarly, the services determination to align its operations with global best practices through integrity surveys, continuous reforms, and stronger collaboration with anti- corruption institutions. It also has commitment to implementing trade facilitation agreements with the World Trade Organisation, which aims to simplify and harmonize customs procedures to reduce trade costs and increase efficiency. Trade Agreements with AfCFTA, which seeks to create a single, unified market for goods and services in Africa, promoting regional trade and investment.
Nigeria Customs Service has also deepened Strategic Engagement With China’s GACC On Customs Knowledge Exchange
Furthermore, it has strengthened its international cooperation efforts through a high-level engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). The collaboration will bring together senior officers of the Service and top officials from the GACC to explore bilateral knowledge exchange and capacity development in customs administration.
The engagement focused on deepening cooperation in customs training methodologies, modernisation models, and technology-driven solutions, especially as China plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s international trade network.
During the meeting, the Chinese Customs authorities shared their structured training system incorporating virtual reality (VR), 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches. In 2024 alone, GACC conducted over 8,000 physical training sessions and developed 360 online courses.
Discussions also highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs development initiatives, with over 200 African customs officers, including 89 from Nigeria, having received training since 2023 across various areas such as trade facilitation, anti-smuggling enforcement, food safety supervision, and digital port operations.
The Chinese Customs officials acknowledged recent reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service and commended the country’s growing leadership in international customs platforms. They appreciated the election of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, describing it as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s customs diplomacy. Both parties expressed mutual interest in exploring technical exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, and officer exchange schemes focused on regional port systems and cross-border intelligence cooperation.
The bilateral dialogue also signalled new areas of collaboration, including Nigeria’s participation in upcoming Customs Modernisation Courses and officer development training at the Shanghai Customs College. The Platform Business Development Agency facilitated the meeting, and its founder coordinated the engagement as part of a broader agenda to drive customs sector reform, ease of doing business, and institutional capacity building. This aligns with the broader objectives of promoting knowledge sharing, harmonising customs procedures, and building an integrated trade infrastructure for sustainable development as a cornerstone for the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has remained fully committed to strengthening its human capital, advancing intergovernmental partnerships, and modernising customs operations in accordance with global standards.
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