The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has presented its impact-focused reform communication model at the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organization (WCO) held at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, from February 25 to 27, 2026.
Speaking at the session, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada PhD, delivered a presentation titled “Communicating the Results of Capacity-Building Initiatives More Effectively: Nigeria Customs Service Experience and Lessons Learned.”
Addressing delegates from member administrations, Maiwada explained that the NCS, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council, has deliberately shifted from routine activity reporting to evidence-based storytelling that demonstrates measurable reform outcomes.
According to him, the Service’s reform communication framework is anchored on three core pillars: institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder capacity engagement, ensuring that reforms are not only implemented but clearly understood and trusted by stakeholders.
Using the Time Release Study (TRS) as a case study, Maiwada highlighted how the Service deployed transparent data presentation tools, including infographics, to show that a significant portion of cargo clearance delays stemmed from systemic idle time rather than inspection procedures.
“This approach shifted the narrative from defensive explanations to performance benchmarking, strengthening shared accountability across the trade ecosystem,” he said.
On the Advance Ruling Programme, Maiwada disclosed that 83 Advance Rulings were issued in 2025, while registered accounts increased from 60 in December 2024 to 173 in December 2025 — representing a 188.3 per cent rise in stakeholder participation.
He added that the initiative accounted for 2.9 per cent of total revenue from goods valued at ₦240.89 billion in 2025, underscoring the role of structured communication in promoting predictability and voluntary compliance.
Highlighting progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, he revealed that about 120 companies have received full AEO certification, while 3,270 officers were trained nationwide as AEO Champions to sustain implementation and deepen stakeholder engagement.
Maiwada also referenced the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, describing it as a major milestone in the Service’s digital transformation agenda, supported by sustained sensitisation and user engagement.
He further noted that the Customs Integrity Perception Survey has become a data-driven tool for strengthening accountability and public trust, adding that integrity management within the Service is now measurable and subject to continuous assessment.
The Customs spokesperson 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, a nomination that 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 and previous election as Chair at the 16th Session, as well as her re-election at the just concluded 17th Session, were cited as evidence of the Committee’s confidence in her leadership and dedication.
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