By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigeria Customs Service has announced a major revenue milestone under its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, recording an increase of ₦362.79 billion in collections and suspending a certified operator for false declaration in a move to preserve the integrity of the scheme.
According to an official statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, revenue generated from the 51 AEO-certified companies rose from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification as at October 27, 2025, representing a growth of 29.68 percent.
The Service noted that the programme accounted for 21.77 percent of its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid by participating companies increased by 85.66 percent, driven by improved compliance and higher volumes of legitimate trade.
Findings from the AEO Monitoring and Evaluation Report showed that the programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 percent, with some companies attaining full compliance at 100 percent, while the lowest recorded compliance stood at 60 percent. The evaluation, the Service said, was conducted using rigorous methodologies aligned with global best practices, including the World Customs Organisation SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
In addition to revenue growth, the programme significantly improved trade facilitation, reducing average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60 percent reduction. Company operating costs also dropped by 57.2 percent, while demurrage payments declined by 90 percent, helping to limit capital flight to foreign port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 percent, driven by increased digitalisation, simplified procedures and enhanced risk management systems.
The Service also commended several major companies, including 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 voluntarily remitting over ₦1 billion into the Federation Account following internal transaction reviews and voluntary disclosures.
Customs authorities said the voluntary remittances reflected the effectiveness of post-clearance audit mechanisms and the growing culture of compliance among operators.
However, the Service disclosed that it identified a compliance breach involving a recently certified AEO company that engaged in false declaration of consignments, in violation of programme rules.
Following the discovery, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in line with programme guidelines, international standards and relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The Service emphasised that the AEO Programme is built on trust, transparency and continuous compliance, warning that while compliant operators would continue to enjoy expedited clearance and reduced inspection, sanctions would be applied where violations occur.
It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government revenue, facilitating legitimate trade and maintaining the global credibility of Nigeria’s Authorised Economic Operator framework.
