The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has described Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS) as a practical, evidence-based reform capable of improving border efficiency, strengthening trade competitiveness across African trade corridors and enhancing national safety.
The Secretary-General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders, stated this on Monday, January 26, 2026, during the presentation of the TRS report at the Tin Can Island Port. He said the study provides Nigeria with specific and objective insights into the performance of its cargo clearance processes and areas requiring targeted improvements.
According to Saunders, the TRS, which was implemented with support from the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, moves beyond policy formulation by translating reform objectives into measurable operational outcomes.
He noted that the findings of the study present Nigeria with a clear opportunity to implement reforms that would strengthen both economic performance and national security, stressing that the Time Release Study remains one of the WCO’s core performance measurement tools used by Customs administrations globally to enhance transparency, predictability and efficiency without undermining security.
The WCO chief added that although Customs plays a central role in trade facilitation, effective implementation of TRS recommendations requires collaboration among government agencies, the private sector and the wider trading community.
He said trade facilitation is achieved through consistent and efficient operational practices rather than policy statements alone, explaining that the TRS identifies what works, what does not and where leadership and investment are required.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the Time Release Study aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to data-driven reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
She described the TRS as a strategic policy instrument that enables governments to objectively measure performance, identify bottlenecks and improve transparency within the trade ecosystem, adding that it supports smarter regulation, evidence-based decision-making and stronger coordination among border agencies.
Uzoka-Anite noted that efficient cargo clearance processes are critical to investor confidence and economic growth, stressing that competitiveness in global trade is increasingly determined by speed, certainty and compliance. She assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s continued support for reforms targeted at modernising border management, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting inter-agency collaboration.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for taking the lead in addressing systemic bottlenecks and strengthening trade facilitation processes, noting that the initiative reflects the government’s broader commitment to improving efficiency across Nigeria’s trade environment.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service is institutionalising the Time Release Study as part of its wider reform agenda to improve cargo clearance efficiency and service delivery.
He explained that the study provides credible data on cargo dwell time, enabling Customs and partner agencies to identify procedural overlaps, eliminate delays and streamline clearance processes.
According to Adeniyi, the TRS allows the Service to move from assumptions to verifiable facts by clearly identifying where time is lost and where reforms should be concentrated to achieve measurable improvements. He added that the Service remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining strict compliance and security standards.
The United Kingdom High Commission to Nigeria, through its representative, also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive adoption of WCO trade facilitation tools, particularly the Time Release Study, which is supported under an initiative of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Similarly, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of the Strategic Research and Policy Department, Mr Dera Nnadi, said insights from the TRS report would guide operational adjustments, policy refinement and infrastructure planning as the Service works with stakeholders to deliver a more predictable and efficient trade environment.
