NCS, WCO, UK Strengthen Anti-Corruption Measures Through Risk Mapping, SOPs


By Aviashima Toom, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and UK International Development, has intensified efforts to strengthen its internal anti-corruption framework through a workshop focused on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the exercise as an important step towards strengthening institutional growth, integrity and corruption risk management within the Service.

Adeniyi stressed that the assessment was not intended to find fault or apportion blame, but to enable the Service to critically examine its processes, identify vulnerabilities and develop sustainable solutions.

According to him, the assessment covered critical Customs operations, including regulatory and administrative procedures, cargo clearance, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement, as well as human resource management.

“The purpose of what we have therefore been doing with our partners was to identify such areas of vulnerabilities, assess the associated risk and develop practical measures to mitigate them,” the CGC said.

He reaffirmed the NCS's commitment to measures aimed at improving transparency, accountability and internal controls, while simplifying processes and expanding the use of technology to reduce unnecessary discretion.

“A customs administration that is transparent, that is predictable and accountable, is better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance, and enhance public confidence,” Adeniyi noted.

The WCO Lead Technical Expert for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Arman Zhalitov, commended the CGC for his continued support and urged members of the working group to champion the endorsement and implementation of the workshop outcomes.

He said the outcomes include a comprehensive action plan setting out clear steps to advance trade facilitation while strengthening the Customs Service's anti-corruption agenda.

Also speaking, David Tanenbaum, WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, highlighted progress recorded in areas including Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), post-clearance audit and the time-release study.

Tanenbaum noted that integrity cannot be treated as an isolated issue, stressing that the achievements recorded through the partnership demonstrate tangible institutional and operational results.

“Our work continues to bring us closer to a systematic, preventive approach to identifying and managing corruption risks within customs operations,” he said.

The collaboration is expected to further strengthen preventive controls within the NCS and promote a more transparent, predictable and accountable Customs administration capable of supporting legitimate trade and improving public confidence.

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