The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has raised concern over the low utilisation of key trade facilitation instruments, disclosing that only 96 operators are currently enrolled under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme, while the Advance Ruling System (ARS) has attracted just 115 applications since its launch.
The disclosure was made by the Controller General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi at the 10th anniversary of the Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists in Lagos last week, where Customs officials identified poor compliance and limited industry engagement as major constraints to improving efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime trade environment.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the NCS had extended the deadline for all companies operating under the Fast Track Scheme to migrate to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, pushing the earlier cut-off date of December 31, 2025, by an additional one month.
According to a statement issued recently by the National Public Relations Officer of the service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, with the new timeline, all outstanding migrations must now be completed on or before January 31, 2026,
Last week, the CG of Customs who was represented by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mohammed Babandede, noted that the AEO programme was designed to fast-track cargo clearance, reduce regulatory bottlenecks, and reward compliant importers, exporters, and logistics operators. However, CG of Customs stressed that AEO status cannot be granted to operators with low compliance records, noting that trade facilitation must not undermine national security, public health, or safety.
The Customs Boss further explained that although the Advance Ruling system was introduced in May 2024 to provide clarity on tariff classification, valuation, and origin of goods before importation, uptake has remained weak. Data presented showed that most of the 115 applications received so far came from multinational companies and large conglomerates, with limited participation from local operators.
The Service maintained that both the AEO and Advance Ruling frameworks are critical tools for improving predictability and efficiency in cargo clearance, but warned that their impact would remain minimal unless stakeholders actively engage and comply with established procedures.
On automation, Customs reiterated that its operations are fully digitised from end to end, describing the Service as one of the most modern and decentralised government agencies in the country. It noted that several trade facilitation tools are already in place ahead of the National Single Window initiative.
Clarifying misconceptions surrounding the National Single Window, Adeniyi confirmed that it will be fully integrated into the platform, adding that by March 2026, shipping lines will be required to submit cargo manifests through the Single Window, allowing all relevant agencies to process the information simultaneously and reduce duplication.
He also dismissed claims of inadequate stakeholder engagement, pointing to frequent interactive sessions across commands and at the Customs Headquarters, stressing that dialogue remains central to addressing industry concerns.
He called on importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and other supply chain actors to improve compliance and take advantage of existing facilitation instruments, noting that higher compliance levels would naturally lead to faster cargo processing and improved trade outcomes.
