Adewale Adeniyi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a major revenue and trade facilitation milestone under its Authorised Economic Operator Programme (AEO), recording a ₦362.79 billion increase in revenue from certified operators and reinforcing its resolve to sanction breaches of compliance.
According to the Service, revenue generated by the 51 AEO-certified entities rose from ₦1.222 trillion prior to certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification as at October 27, 2025—representing a 29.68 per cent growth. The AEO Programme accounted for 21.77 per cent of the NCS’s total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid by participating companies surged by 85.66 per cent, driven by improved compliance and higher volumes of legitimate trade.
An AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) report released by the Service showed an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent among certified operators, with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent. The evaluation, the NCS said, was conducted using rigorous and transparent methodologies aligned with international best practices, including the standards of the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework and provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Beyond revenue, the Programme has delivered notable gains in trade facilitation. Average cargo clearance time for AEO participants dropped from 168 hours to 41 hours—a 75.60 per cent reduction. Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent, while demurrage payments fell by as much as 90 per cent, reducing capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and supporting foreign exchange retention. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per cent, attributed to increased digitalisation, simplified procedures and more targeted risk management.
The NCS also disclosed that enhanced post-clearance audit mechanisms under the Programme have encouraged a growing culture of voluntary compliance. It commended several AEO-certified companies for collectively remitting over ₦1 billion into the Federation Account following self-initiated transaction reviews and disclosures. The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
However, the Service disclosed that it uncovered a compliance breach involving a recently certified AEO company found to have engaged in false declaration of consignments, contrary to the Programme’s obligations. Acting on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS immediately suspended the company’s AEO status in line with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Reiterating the principles underpinning the AEO Programme, the NCS stressed that trust, transparency and continuous compliance remain non-negotiable. While compliant operators will continue to enjoy expedited clearance, reduced inspections and other incentives, the Service warned that sanctions would be promptly applied where violations are established.
The Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework as it continues to deepen reforms across the ports and borders.
