- Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has achieved a significant revenue and trade facilitation milestone under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, posting ₦362.79 billion for the 51 AEO-certified entities as at 27 October 2025.
This comes as revenue under the programme grew from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification, reflecting a 29.68 per cent increase, according to the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.
The NCS disclosed that the programme also contributed 21.77 per cent to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties collected rose by 85.66 per cent due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
Citing the AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) report, it stated that the programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent, with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
According to the agency, “the evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency and alignment with the World Customs Organisation SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.”
In trade facilitation, the agency stated that “AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60 per cent time saving,” and “company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent.
“Demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per cent through digitalisation, simplified procedures and targeted risk management.”
While commending some companies for their cumulative voluntary remittances of over a billion naira to the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure, the service noted a compliance breach involving a recently certified AEO company that engaged in false declaration of consignments, contrary to programme obligations.
Consequently, the unnamed company’s AEO status has been suspended in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, it stated.
Meanwhile, the NCS reiterates that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency and continuous compliance, adding that while compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
