Trade Facilitation Milestone: Nigeria Customs’ AEO Programme Drives ₦362.79bn Revenue Growth, Slashes Cargo Clearance Time to 41 Hours
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service has made significant strides in trade facilitation through its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, recording a revenue increase of ₦362.79 billion (29.68%) and also reducing cargo clearance time to 41 hours.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Service’s spokesperson, DC Abdullahi Maiwada on Thursday, 10 February 2025.
According to the statement, the Agency saw a significant revenue increase from ₦1.222 trillion before AEO certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification, reflecting a growth of ₦362.79 billion (29.68%) for the 51 AEO-certified entities as at 27 October 2025.
The Programme also contributed 21.77% to NCS’s total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
Maiwada noted that a report from AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team revealed an average compliance rate of 85.45%, with the highest at 100% and the lowest at 60%.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023”.
He said AEO participation has reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
Through the programme, Company operating costs has declined by 57.2%, while demurrage payments dropped by 90%, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
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“Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11% through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management,” he stated.
The Service commended Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
These actions, it says reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Amidst these gains, the Service identified a compliance breach involving a recently certified AEO company that engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
Consequently, Maiwada said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, has directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established,” it said.
The Service further reiterated the commitment to safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework.