By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a massive revenue leap under its trade-trust programme, raking in an additional ₦362.79 billion while slapping an immediate suspension on a defaulting operator caught making false cargo declarations.
The breakthrough came under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) initiative of the Nigeria Customs Service, which authorities say is transforming port operations from paperwork bottlenecks into compliance-driven efficiency.
Customs disclosed that revenue generated by 51 AEO-certified companies surged from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification, a 29.68 per cent growth recorded as of October 27, 2025.
The scheme alone accounted for 21.77 per cent of the agency’s ₦7.281 trillion total collection in 2025.
Even more striking, customs duties paid by participating companies climbed by 85.66 per cent, a rise officials attributed to improved compliance and expansion of legitimate trade volumes.
According to the monitoring and evaluation report, the programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent, with some firms recording full compliance.
The framework aligns with international trade standards and Nigeria’s Customs law, signalling growing global credibility for the country’s cargo processing system.
Beyond revenue, the reform dramatically slashed cargo clearance time.
Clearance time dropped from 168 hours to 41 hours
Operating costs fell by 57.2%
Demurrage payments plunged by 90%
Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11%
Officials said the changes were driven by digitalisation, simplified procedures and targeted risk-based inspections, reducing congestion and limiting capital flight to foreign port service providers.
Customs praised several major companies for voluntarily reviewing their books and remitting over ₦1 billion into government coffers.
Among them were 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.
Authorities described the action as proof that post-clearance audits are forcing a new culture of self-correction in Nigeria’s import and export sector.
But the agency also drew a hard line.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, ordered the immediate suspension of a newly certified AEO company after investigators uncovered false declaration of consignments.
The sanction was applied under the AEO Guidelines and relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
Customs warned that while compliant operators will enjoy faster cargo release and reduced inspections, violators will face swift penalties.
Officials say the message is clear: the programme rewards honesty but punishes abuse.
With billions added to national revenue and port delays collapsing dramatically, authorities believe the scheme could redefine how Nigeria balances trade facilitation with revenue protection, replacing discretion with data and trust with verification.
