By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and UK International Development, has intensified efforts to strengthen its internal anti-corruption framework through corruption risk mapping and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The initiative was the focus of a workshop on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping and the development of practical measures to mitigate vulnerabilities within Customs operations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the exercise as a significant step towards strengthening institutional growth, integrity and corruption risk management.
Adeniyi stressed that the exercise was not designed to find fault or apportion blame, but to enable the Service to critically examine its processes, identify weaknesses and develop sustainable solutions.
According to him, the assessment covered critical Customs operations, including regulatory and administrative procedures, clearance processes, 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.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to measures aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, internal controls and process simplification, while expanding the use of technology to reduce unnecessary discretion in Customs operations.
“A customs administration that is transparent, that is predictable and accountable, is better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance, and enhance public confidence,” Adeniyi added.
The WCO Lead Technical Expert for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended the Comptroller-General for his continued support for the initiative and urged the working group to champion the endorsement and implementation of the workshop outcomes.
He said the outcomes included a comprehensive action plan outlining clear steps to advance trade facilitation while strengthening the anti-corruption agenda of the Service.
Also speaking, David Tanenbaum, WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, highlighted achievements recorded in areas such as Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), post-clearance audit and the time-release study.
Tanenbaum noted that integrity could not be treated in isolation, stressing that improvements in Customs processes must be accompanied by systematic measures for identifying and managing corruption risks.
“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 is expected to further strengthen the NCS’s institutional controls, promote predictable and transparent Customs procedures, and improve the efficiency of legitimate trade while boosting public confidence in the Service.
