The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is doubling down on its institutional reform agenda, shifting focus to identifying and tackling corruption risks across its most critical operational and administrative processes.

The initiative — carried out in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the UK International Development — took centre stage at a recent workshop on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi made it clear that the exercise wasn’t about pointing fingers.

“This is not about finding faults or apportioning blame,” he said. “The purpose of what we have been doing with our partners was to identify areas of vulnerabilities, assess the associated risk, and develop practical measures to mitigate them.”

The assessment cut across the full width of Customs operations — regulatory and administrative procedures, cargo clearance, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement, and human resource management.

Adeniyi stressed that the Service would continue to push measures that strengthen transparency, accountability, internal controls, and process simplification — while expanding the use of technology to minimise unnecessary discretion in day-to-day operations.

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

The WCO’s Lead Technical Expert for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended the Comptroller General for his support, urging the working group to ensure the workshop outcomes — particularly the comprehensive action plan — are fully endorsed and implemented.

WCO Programme Manager David Tanenbaum highlighted progress in key areas including the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme, post-clearance audit, and the time-release study. He stressed that integrity must be embedded across all reforms.

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

The latest push gives the NCS reform programme a structured framework for spotting vulnerabilities and tightening internal controls — so corruption risks are addressed before they can undermine operations. It also reinforces the Service’s broader ambition to build a more transparent, technology-driven, and predictable Customs administration that facilitates legitimate trade while strengthening compliance and public trust.