The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a major revenue and trade facilitation milestone under its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, reporting a revenue increase of ₦362.79 billion among certified companies.
According to the Service, revenue generated by the 51 AEO-certified entities rose from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification as at 27 October 2025. This represents a growth rate of 29.68 percent. The Programme also accounted for 21.77 percent of NCS’s total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025. In addition, customs duties paid increased by 85.66 percent, which the Service attributed to improved compliance and higher volumes of legitimate trade.
The AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report showed that the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 percent, with the highest compliance at 100 percent and the lowest at 60 percent. The evaluation process applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity and transparency. It also aligned with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
In terms of trade facilitation, participation in the AEO Programme reduced the average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours. This represents a 75.60 percent time saving. Company operating costs declined by 57.2 percent, while demurrage payments dropped by 90 percent. The Service said this reduction helped limit capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthened foreign exchange retention. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 percent through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management.
The Service commended 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 a billion naira into the Federation Account. The companies carried out self-initiated transaction reviews and disclosures. The NCS stated that “these actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.”
However, the Service disclosed that it identified a compliance breach involving a recently certified AEO company that engaged in false declaration of consignments, contrary to programme obligations. As a result, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in line with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that “the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance,” adding that while compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
