Customs, W’Bank launch post-clearance audit mission

Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi….Photo Credit: NCS

The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with the World Bank Group, has commenced a two-week technical assistance mission on the Post Clearance Audit under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform Programme, aimed at strengthening compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices. In a statement on Tuesday, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, a Deputy Controller of Customs, stated that the workshop, which runs from 1 to 12 June 2026, will take place at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. In his opening remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the mission as a significant step in advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and strengthening its capacity as a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration. Adeniyi, who was represented at the event by Babatunde Olomu, an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, noted that modern customs administrations increasingly rely on intelligence-led, risk-based, “and post-clearance interventions that promote voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and economic growth.” According to him, the mission offers an opportunity to assess existing processes, identify operational gaps, adopt international best practices, and develop practical solutions to strengthen the Post Clearance Audit framework. Adeniyi identified risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems as key areas of focus. He emphasised that effective PCA enables customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to “a strategic compliance management approach that enhances revenue assurance, facilitates legitimate trade, strengthens transparency, and boosts public confidence.” “This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system,” Adeniyi stated. The CGC reiterated his commitment to modernisation and capacity building and also appreciated the World Bank and other development partners for their sustained support for Customs reforms. He urged participants to actively engage throughout the programme and ensure that lessons learned are translated into measurable improvements in daily operations. Speaking at the event, World Bank Tas