The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has presented its impact-driven reform communication strategy at the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organization (WCO), held recently at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels.
Addressing delegates from WCO member administrations, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a presentation titled “Communicating the Results of Capacity-Building Initiatives More Effectively: Nigeria Customs Service Experience and Lessons Learned.”
Maiwada explained that under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council, the Service has shifted from routine activity reporting to evidence-based storytelling that highlights measurable reform outcomes.
He said the NCS reform communication framework is anchored on three pillars: institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that reforms are both implemented and widely understood.
Using the Time Release Study (TRS) as a case study, Maiwada noted that the Service adopted transparent data tools, including infographics, to demonstrate that a significant share of cargo clearance delays stemmed from systemic idle time rather than inspection processes.
The approach, he said, moved the narrative from defensive explanations to performance benchmarking, fostering shared accountability within the trade ecosystem.
On the Advance Ruling programme, Maiwada disclosed that the Service issued 83 Advance Rulings in 2025. Registered accounts rose from 60 in December 2024 to 173 in December 2025, representing a 188.3 per cent increase in stakeholder participation.
He added that the initiative contributed 2.9 per cent of total revenue from goods valued at ₦240.89 billion in 2025, underscoring the role of structured communication in enhancing predictability and voluntary compliance.
He also highlighted progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, revealing that about 120 companies have achieved full AEO certification, while 3,270 officers were trained nationwide as AEO Champions to sustain implementation and deepen stakeholder engagement.
Maiwada referenced the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, B’Odogwu, as a milestone in the Service’s digital transformation efforts, supported by continuous sensitisation and user engagement initiatives.
In addition, he pointed to the Customs Integrity Perception Survey as a data-driven mechanism for strengthening accountability and public trust, noting that integrity management within the Service is now measurable and subject to continuous assessment.
Maiwada urged WCO member administrations to integrate communication units at the design stage of reform initiatives, humanise institutional processes, sustain engagement beyond single events, and strengthen peer learning across customs administrations.
At the close of the session, Nigeria nominated LI Yan of China Customs for the position of Chair of the 18th Session of the WCO Capacity Building Committee. The nomination received unanimous support from delegates.
LI Yan, who has served as China’s Customs Attaché to Brussels since 2020, previously held four terms as Vice Chair and was elected Chair at the 16th Session before being re-elected at the just concluded 17th Session, reflecting the Committee’s continued confidence in her leadership.
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