The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) launched a joint reform agenda on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during a three-day operational workshop in Apapa, Lagos. The initiative, themed "Customs Leadership in Port Efficiency, Inspection Reform and Clearance Timeline," targets systemic delays in port operations through a five-pillar strategy. Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi detailed the plan, which includes joint inspections, risk-based cargo clearance, better use of scanning infrastructure, enforcement of service timelines, and stronger inter-agency collaboration. Adeniyi stressed the shift from policy creation to implementation, stating the workshop was "aimed at bridging the gap between knowledge and action within the system."
Adeniyi confirmed the adoption of intelligence-led cargo processing, backed by investments in digital platforms and scanning technology, to ensure faster and more transparent clearance for importers. A reform execution matrix will be developed during the workshop, with progress monitored closely and reported directly to him. He urged customs officers to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and dedication in their roles. PEBEC's Director-General, Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, emphasised the need for data-driven, risk-based inspection systems to reduce trade costs and boost Nigeria's global trade ranking.
Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan said the NCS's evolving role positions it as a key player in trade facilitation and economic growth, requiring consistent efficiency across all commands. The Customs-PEBEC team visited the National Single Window facility, where they met with Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman Zacch Adedeji and other officials to assess progress and tackle operational bottlenecks.
Adewale Adeniyi's personal oversight of the reform execution matrix signals a rare level of accountability in a system long criticised for inertia. When the Comptroller-General commits to tracking progress reports himself, it suggests previous reforms failed not for lack of planning, but due to weak follow-through. For Nigerian traders, this could mean fewer delays—if implementation finally escapes the cycle of announcements and workshops. The real test will be whether scanners operate consistently and officers stop demanding bribes at points of clearance.
