By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has ik showcased its impact-focused reform communication model at the 17th Session of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Capacity Building Committee held at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels from February 25 to 27, 2026.
Speaking at the session, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a presentation titled “Communicating the Results of Capacity-Building Initiatives More Effectively: Nigeria Customs Service Experience and Lessons Learned.”
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Addressing delegates from member administrations, Maiwada explained that the NCS, under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the WCO Council, has transitioned from routine activity reporting to evidence-based storytelling that demonstrates reform outcomes and measurable impact.
He noted that the Service’s reform communication framework is built on three core pillars: institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder capacity engagement, ensuring reforms are not only implemented but clearly understood and trusted.
Using the Time Release Study (TRS) as a case study, Maiwada highlighted how the Service adopted transparent data presentation tools, including infographics, to show that a significant proportion of cargo clearance delays were attributable to systemic idle time rather than inspection procedures.
According to him, this approach shifted the narrative from defensive explanations to performance benchmarking, thereby strengthening shared accountability across the trade ecosystem.
On the Advance Ruling programme, he disclosed that 83 Advance Rulings were issued in 2025, while registered accounts increased from 60 in December 2024 to 173 in December 2025, representing a 188.3 per cent rise in stakeholder participation.
He added that the initiative accounted for 2.9 per cent of total revenue from goods valued at ₦240.89 billion in 2025, underscoring the role of structured communication in promoting predictability and voluntary compliance.
Highlighting progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Maiwada revealed that about 120 companies have received full AEO certification, while 3,270 officers were trained nationwide as AEO Champions to sustain implementation and deepen stakeholder engagement.
He also referenced the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, as a milestone in digital transformation, supported by continuous sensitisation and user engagement.
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Furthermore, he pointed to the Customs Integrity Perception Survey as a data-driven tool for strengthening accountability and public trust, noting that integrity management within the Service is now measurable and continuously assessed.
Maiwada urged WCO member administrations to integrate communication units at the design stage of reform initiatives, humanise institutional processes, sustain engagement beyond single events, and strengthen peer learning across Customs administrations.
At the end of the session, Nigeria nominated LI Yan of China Customs for the position of Chair of the 18th Session of the WCO Capacity Building Committee. Her nomination received unanimous support from all delegates.
As China’s Customs Attaché to Brussels since 2020, LI Yan has managed multilateral and bilateral initiatives within the WCO and with key partners. Her four terms as Vice Chair, election as Chair at the 16th Session, and reelection at the just-concluded 17th Session reflect the Committee’s confidence in her leadership and dedication.
