Customs, WCO, UK intensify anti-corruption drive, map risks, develop SOPs

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By Silas Onuoha

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Kingdom International Development, has intensified efforts to strengthen its internal anti-corruption framework through corruption risk mapping and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a workshop held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the exercise as an important step towards strengthening institutional integrity, growth and corruption risk management.

Adeniyi stressed that the assessment was not aimed at finding fault or apportioning blame, but at enabling the Service to critically examine its processes, identify vulnerabilities and develop sustainable solutions.

He said the assessment covered critical Customs operations, including regulatory and administrative procedures, cargo clearance, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement and human resource management.

“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,” the CGC said.

The Customs boss reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to measures that promote transparency, accountability, stronger internal controls, process simplification and greater use of technology to reduce unnecessary discretion in Customs operations.

According to him, a transparent, predictable and accountable Customs administration would be better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance and strengthen public confidence.

The WCO Lead Technical Expert, Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended the CGC for his continued support and urged members of the working group to ensure the endorsement and implementation of the workshop’s outcomes.

He said the outcomes included a comprehensive action plan containing clear steps towards advancing trade facilitation and strengthening the anti-corruption agenda of the Service.

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

Tanenbaum stressed that integrity could not be treated in isolation, noting that improvements across Customs operations were essential to building a more effective and accountable administration.

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

The collaboration between the NCS, WCO and UK International Development is expected to further strengthen preventive controls, improve operational efficiency and support a more transparent and predictable Customs environment.