By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a major revenue and trade facilitation breakthrough under its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, reporting a revenue increase of ₦362.79 billion among participating companies.
According to the Service, revenue generated by the 51 AEO certified firms rose from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification as of October 27, 2025 a 29.68 per cent growth. The programme also accounted for 21.77 per cent of the NCS’s total ₦7.281 trillion revenue collection for 2025, while customs duty payments climbed by 85.66 per cent, driven by improved compliance and increased legitimate trade volumes.
An AEO Monitoring and Evaluation report showed an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent among participating firms, with some achieving full compliance. The assessment, the Service said, followed strict evaluation procedures aligned with the standards of the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework and provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
In a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service highlighted significant gains in trade facilitation. Average cargo clearance time dropped from 168 hours to 41 hours a 75.6 per cent reduction. Operating costs for participating firms declined by 57.2 per cent, while demurrage charges fell by 90 per cent, helping to reduce capital outflow to foreign port service providers and strengthen foreign exchange retention. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per cent through digitalisation, simplified procedures and targeted risk management.
The NCS also commended several companies including PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd and CORMART Nigeria Ltd for voluntarily remitting over ₦1 billion into the Federation Account after conducting internal transaction reviews and disclosures.
Additionally, the Service described the action as evidence of stronger post clearance audit systems and a growing compliance culture within the trading community.
Despite the progress, the Customs authority disclosed that a recently certified AEO operator was found to have made false declarations on consignments in violation of programme rules.
Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, ordered the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in line with programme guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework and Section 112 of the NCS Act 2023.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Service stressed that the AEO Programme is built on trust, transparency and continuous compliance, noting that while compliant firms will continue to enjoy faster clearance and fewer inspections, sanctions will be imposed where breaches occur.
The NCS added that it remains focused on protecting government revenue, facilitating legitimate trade and sustaining the credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework globally.
