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The Maritime Media Capacity Development Center (MMCDC) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for what it described as landmark capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening professionalism, operational efficiency, and transparency within the country’s trade and maritime sectors.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Sesan Onileimo, the Centre particularly praised the Service’s progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, noting that the training of 3,270 officers nationwide as AEO Champions and the certification of 120 companies represent a major milestone in customs modernisation.
According to MMCDC, the achievements demonstrate the NCS’s commitment to building institutional competence while deepening collaboration with stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime and trade ecosystem.
The Centre also referenced remarks made by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, during the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium. Maiwada had highlighted the Service’s reform-driven communication framework focused on institutional capacity building, human resource development, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
MMCDC further commended the NCS for adopting evidence-based communication strategies, performance benchmarking, and digital innovations such as the Unified Customs Management System, B’Odogwu, aimed at improving operational transparency and strengthening public trust.
It noted that programmes such as the Time Release Study (TRS), Advance Ruling Programme, and the Customs Integrity Perception Survey reflect a forward-looking approach that aligns capacity development with measurable trade outcomes.
The Centre also applauded the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for fostering a culture of excellence and positioning the NCS as a leading example of capacity development within global customs administrations.
MMCDC observed that since Adeniyi assumed office, the Service has significantly upgraded the Customs Command and Staff College as well as the Customs Training Colleges in Lagos and Kano, strengthening training opportunities for officers across all cadres.
According to the Centre, these investments are already yielding results through improved performance in trade facilitation, revenue generation, and the suppression of smuggling and illicit imports.
The organisation expressed optimism about continued collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, member administrations of the World Customs Organization, and other stakeholders to further strengthen maritime governance, professional training, and best practices in Nigeria’s trade environment.
