The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted its impact-focused reform communication strategy at the 17th Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Capacity Building Committee, held at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels from February 25 to 27, 2026.
Representing the Service, the National Public Relations Officer, 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”.
Addressing delegates from WCO member administrations, Maiwada explained that under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council—the NCS has shifted from routine activity reporting to evidence-based storytelling that clearly demonstrates reform outcomes and measurable impact.
According to him, the Service’s reform communication framework is anchored on three pillars: institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder capacity engagement. This approach ensures that reforms are not only implemented but also understood, trusted, and supported by stakeholders.
Using the Time Release Study (TRS) as a case study, Maiwada illustrated how the Service deployed transparent data tools, including infographics, to show that a significant share of cargo clearance delays resulted from systemic idle time rather than inspection procedures. He noted that this reframed the narrative from defensive explanations to performance benchmarking, fostering shared accountability within the trade ecosystem.
On the Advance Ruling Programme, he disclosed that 83 Advance Rulings were issued in 2025, while registered user accounts increased from 60 in December 2024 to 173 in December 2025, representing a 188.3 per cent growth in stakeholder participation. The initiative contributed 2.9 per cent of total revenue from goods valued at ₦240.89 billion in 2025, reinforcing predictability and voluntary compliance through structured communication.
Highlighting progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Maiwada revealed that approximately 120 companies have achieved full AEO certification. In addition, 3,270 officers were trained nationwide as AEO Champions to sustain implementation and deepen stakeholder engagement.
He also referenced the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, as a major milestone in the Service’s digital transformation drive, supported by sustained sensitisation and user engagement.
Further strengthening transparency efforts, Maiwada highlighted the Customs Integrity Perception Survey as a data-driven mechanism for enhancing accountability and public trust, noting that integrity management within the Service is now measurable and continuously assessed.
He encouraged WCO member administrations to integrate communication units at the design stage of reform initiatives, humanise institutional processes, maintain engagement beyond isolated events, and promote peer learning across Customs administrations.
At the conclusion 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. Her nomination received unanimous support from delegates. LI Yan, who has served as China’s Customs Attaché to Brussels since 2020, has managed multilateral and bilateral initiatives within the WCO and with key partners.
Her four terms as Vice Chair, election as Chair at the 16th Session, and re-election at the just-concluded 17th Session reflect both her dedication and the Committee’s confidence in her leadership.