By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded a two-day strategic management workshop designed to accelerate trade facilitation reforms and enhance the ease of doing business across the country, reinforcing its commitment to institutional modernisation and economic growth.
The high-level training, organised in partnership with Reverso Business Services Limited, was held from January 22 to 23, 2026, and brought together senior management officers of the Service to examine emerging trends in global trade, digital transformation and the evolving responsibilities of modern Customs administrations.
The workshop forms part of the broader reform agenda being implemented under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, aligning Customs operations with international best practices and positioning the Service as a key enabler of Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
Discussions on the final day focused on adaptive leadership, operational efficiency and the need for stronger collaboration with stakeholders across the trade ecosystem.
Participants engaged in in-depth deliberations on how technology-driven solutions and streamlined procedures can reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks within Nigeria’s trade corridors and improve service delivery.
Speaking at the closing session, Comptroller-General Adeniyi underscored the dynamic nature of international trade and the growing expectations placed on Customs administrations worldwide.
He noted that the Nigeria Customs Service is proactively implementing reforms to remain responsive to current realities and future challenges.
“Our environment will continue to be very dynamic. “What will not change, however, is Nigeria’s expectation that Customs will contribute meaningfully to economic prosperity, public health and national security. When these elements come together, we are better positioned to facilitate trade,
Adeniyi said.
The CGC further challenged officers to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards, describing the ongoing transformation of the Service as a deliberate and self-driven process. According to him, the goal is to build a reference to Customs administration known for accountability, responsiveness and measurable performance.
“These are standards we voluntarily hold ourselves to.
"We want to be that reference organisation responsive to our commitments and obligations, and supportive of government efforts to create an environment where the economy can prosper, he stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Reverso Business Services Limited, Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its openness to innovation and continuous improvement.
He emphasised the importance of embracing change in a rapidly evolving global trade environment and sustaining capacity-building initiatives to support effective trade facilitation.
“If you don’t take change by the hand, it will seize you by the throat.
"The environment is changing, and Customs must continue to manage that change proactively, Ojeniyi said.
He urged participants to translate the knowledge and insights gained from the workshop into practical reforms across their respective commands and formations, stressing that leadership decisions at all levels play a critical role in achieving institutional goals.
The workshop aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing modernisation drive, which includes process automation, enhanced stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and compliance.
The Service has continued to roll out reforms targeted at reducing clearance times, improving revenue assurance and strengthening border security, while facilitating legitimate trade.
With the conclusion of the training, the NCS reaffirmed its resolve to deepen reforms that support national economic objectives and position Nigeria as a more competitive player in regional and global trade.
