By: Goodluck E. Adubazi.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the World Bank Group (WBG), has launched a major capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening post-clearance audit, risk management and trade facilitation in Nigeria.
The programme, known as the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, commenced on Monday, 19 January 2026, as part of ongoing reforms to modernise customs administration, enhance compliance and promote efficient cross-border trade.
Designed to review earlier reform commitments and refine implementation strategies, the initiative places strong emphasis on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) as a key tool for improving transparency, supporting voluntary compliance and ensuring effective revenue assurance. It also provides an opportunity to assess progress made so far and identify practical steps for deepening risk-based customs operations.
Speaking at the opening session, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeola, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described Post-Clearance Audit as a cornerstone of modern customs administration.
According to her, a functional PCA system enables Customs to facilitate legitimate trade while maintaining strong compliance controls and safeguarding government revenue.
“This mission underscores the strong partnership between the WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service and our shared commitment to strengthening PCA frameworks, enhancing officers’ technical capacity and institutionalising best practices that promote voluntary compliance,” she said.
Quoting author Brian Herbert, Adeola added that the Service has deliberately chosen to embrace learning and reform to make PCA effective in Nigeria.

Also speaking, WCO Trade Facilitation Expert, James Clark, commended the NCS for the progress recorded within a relatively short period, noting that Nigeria’s reforms reflect a broader national drive to improve the ease of doing business and align with international best practices.
“The development of the PCA Manual was an impressive achievement. More importantly, the steps taken to operationalise it and your commitment to building a world-class PCA programme are remarkable,” Clark said, while urging the Service to sustain the momentum.

In her remarks, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the Service has taken deliberate measures to strengthen post-clearance audit and risk management systems in order to improve compliance, enhance revenue collection and protect national economic interests.
Similarly, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Post-Clearance Audit, Babatunde Olomu, described the week-long engagement as timely and strategic, noting that it comes at a critical phase of the Service’s reform agenda.

The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme runs from 19 to 23 January 2026 and reinforces the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to sustained collaboration with international partners in driving reforms that support efficient trade, transparency and economic growth.