Customs
Tanko decries outsourcing of Customs promotion examinations
–– urges management to leverage expertise of in-house trainers at customs training schools
Funso OLOJO
A renowned freight forwarder and a social crusader, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, has frowned at the common practice by the management of the Nigeria Customs Service to outsource its officers’ promotion examinations to outsiders.
Tanko, who condemned the practice and warned of its security implications, advised the agency to instead allow its two training schools in Lagos and Kano to handle such critical assignment.
Reviewing the just concluded customs promotion examinations held in Abuja recently, Tanko, who is the National Coordinator of the NAGAFF 100 percent Compliance team, said deploying the in-house customs examiners at these training schools will preserve the sanctity and professional integrity of the service.
Recalling with pain the excruciating experiences of some of the officers who took part in the recently conducted promotion examinations regarding logistics challenges, the social crusader believed such challenges could have been avoided if the exercise had been conducted in-house.
While certifying the competency and integrity of customs trainers in the training schools and how they are eminently qualified to handle such task, Tanko accused the external examiners who handle such exercise of taking undue advantage of the situation to enrich themselves at the expense of the hapless participating customs officers.
“It sounds absurd, especially to freight forwarders, that the recently concluded promotion examinations of officers in the Nigerian Customs Service are out-sourced to external contractors to manage, using computer-based tests(CBT).
“This practice has been an age-long practice by former CGs.
“However, just as the Customs fought courageously for the approval for the establishment of Nigeria Customs Service University, we honestly expect that you review, update and put to good use the Nigeria Customs Service training schools.
“The incumbent CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, must take charge and put measures in place to stamp out any form of corruption and also put an end to the outsourcing of the Customs officers’ promotion examinations.
“This is because some of the contractors are surely cashing in or trading on jobs that can be handled in-house!
“Recall how the former late CG Dikko took over the management of RAR, the risk assessment report, from Cotecna, transformed it into PAAR, Pre-arrival Assessment report and now we all are gaining from that singular innovation.
“It is mind-boggling and astonishing considering the security implications of outsourcing the conduct of such examinations.
“We that are in the field, on a daily basis, do come across intelligent and brilliant men and officers, why the outsourcing?
“Moreover, the Nigeria customs training schools are there. Are they not meant to train and retrain officers and men of the service?
“The commandants are officers of high caliber and high intellect. Why wouldn’t the customs use their training colleges and personnel to conduct the promotion examinations?
“The training colleges are well positioned to conduct such examinations, if not, they should be well equipped, even much more than the CBT centres.
” This is because the teachers and managers of the School are officers themselves, who are also trained, experienced, and vast in modern customs procedures and processes.
“This is against the excruciating circumstances where officers paid their way to Abuja, with little or no provisions for accommodation and feeding for many days, as long as the contractor keeps them.
“What we are saying herein is that the Nigeria customs training schools can be used instead.
“We therefore call on the Comptroller General to urgently review the process of these promotion examinations and rejig the entire process to reflect and restore the glory, prestige and name of the Nigeria Customs Service” Tanko pleaded.
While welcoming the approval of the Federal government for the establishment of the Customs University, Tanko urged the CGC Adeniyi to deploy the same zeal, commitment and passion that won the service government approval to pursue the review of the conduct of customs officers’ promotion examinations with a view to allowing customs in-house trainers to conduct the customs promotion examinations.
Customs
Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include 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.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance 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.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
Customs
Customs takes delivery, commissions 60- bed hospital donated by BUA Group in Bauchi
Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, officially commissioned the Abdul Samad Rabiu / Nigeria Customs Service Hospital in Bauchi, a 60-bed healthcare facility constructed and donated by Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of ASR Africa and Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group.
The hospital, delivered through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, is expected to significantly expand healthcare access for Customs officers, their families and host communities across Zone ‘D’ and neighbouring states.
Describing the project as a strategic welfare investment, the CGC said the facility reflects the Service’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity through improved personnel wellbeing.
“This commissioning is a clear statement that the NCS prioritises the health and welfare of its officers,” he stated.
“A modern Service requires not only technology and operational reforms, but also strong social infrastructure that supports those who serve.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, emphasised the intervention’s sustainability focus.
“ASR Africa is committed to impact-driven philanthropy,” he said. “Our partnership with the NCS demonstrates what can be achieved when private sector commitment aligns with institutional reform and clear developmental goals.”
Also delivering a message on behalf of the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, described the commissioning as a boost to the state’s healthcare ecosystem.
“This facility will complement existing public health institutions and improve access to specialised services,” he said.
“It reflects the value of collaboration between government and responsible corporate entities.”
The hospital’s commissioning marks the culmination of a phased transformation that began in 2008 with the establishment of a basic health post at the Zone ‘D’ Headquarters, Bauchi.
It was subsequently upgraded to a clinic, and later a medical centre, before a 2023 partnership between the NCS and ASR Africa converted it into a 30-bed hospital, completed in April 2025.
Following a needs assessment, the CGC approved the remodelling and expansion of the facility into a 60-bed secondary healthcare facility with selected tertiary services.
Now equipped with seven clinical departments: Nursing Services, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory, alongside Administrative and Health Information Management units, as well as Dental, Radiology and Nutrition units.
The hospital is projected to manage up to 300 patients per month during its first operational year.
Long-term expansion plans include advanced diagnostics such as CT scans and MRI, as well as specialised surgical procedures, positioning the facility as a referral centre across the North-East and parts of North-Central Nigeria.
Customs
Ahead of Customs’ paperless operations in June, Comptroller Onyeka declares Tin Can Customs trade enabler
Funso OLOJO, Editor
Barely few days after the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced that the Customs will migrate to paperless operations in June, 2026, the Tin Can command of the Service has made an elaborate preparation to key into the digital platform.
Even though, the Customs High Command is yet to release the blue print for the take -off of the digital revolution in goods clearance, the Controller of Tin Can Customs, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has declared that his command is ready to hit the ground running.
To this end, Comptroller Onyeka has declared Tin Can Island Customs as a trade enabler where seamless operations will be the order of the day.
While speaking with the maritime media on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, Onyeka stated that as long as an importer or his agent makes an honest declaration and the consignment is not flagged, such goods will leave the customs control within the 48 hours clearance time being envisaged by the Customs under its paperless operations regime.
Comptroller Onyeka further disclosed that his command will aim at collecting collectable revenue instead of maximum revenue which often leaves no room for trader to handle logistics costs and other sundry charges.
“By focusing on collectable revenue, we ensure that the trader makes profit, return to the market and continues to contribute to the society.
“I want to be known as a trade enabler personified” Comptroller Onyeka enthused.
While making projection into the year 2026, the Customs chief said the command recorded a lot of positives in 2025 when it surpassed the revenue target for that year and when a record revenue collection of 26 billion was recorded in a single day, a feat that was unprecedented in the history of the command.
Onyeka said the command started the year 2026 on a good revenue trajectory with the collection of N145. 9bn in January, representing a 25.3 percent increase when compared to the N116.4billon collected in January 2025.
He acknowledged the support of the media for its “constructive reportage” which acted as a catalyst for the good performance of the command in 2025.
While soliciting for the continued support of journalists in 2026, Comptroller Onyeka said his officers have been well primed to confront the challenges ahead.
He dismissed the fears of possible network glitches which stakeholders expressed may hamper the success of the paperless operations, saying such eventuality will be surmounted just as the teething problems which plagued B’ Odogwu platform at take off were conquered.
“Despite the teething problems with B’Odogwu, we have recorded tremendous success, so we are ready for the paperless operations.
“There could be network issues but I want to urge the trading public to build capacity.
“With that, you can complete container clearance entirely online, with no physical contact with customs officers.
“If your declaration is not flagged, the process will be seamless, there will be no reason to come and see anyone.
“We cannot guarantee a perfect system from day one, but those challenges will not stop us.
” The more traders declare correctly and honestly, the smoother this process becomes for everyone,” he declared while advising importers to palletise their consignments.
It could be recalled that while launching the Customs’ One- Stop- Shop(OSS) on Friday, February 13th, 2026, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service is advancing toward a fully paperless customs environment, with the first phase of digital clearance and documentation processes scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
“This platform is a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated governance, from discretion to data, and from isolated actions to collective responsibility,” Adeniyi had declared.
“Through this reform, we continue to build systems that support lawful trade, protect national interests and serve the economy with professionalism and integrity.” he concluded.
-
Headlines3 months agoEx-NIWA boss, Oyebamiji, emerges most media-friendly CEO in maritime industry
-
Headlines4 days agoFIFA sends Nigeria’s Super Eagles to 2026 World Cup, awards boardroom scoreline of 3 goals to nil against DR Congo
-
Headlines3 months agoMARAN pulls industry’s stakeholders to unveil its iconic book on Maritime industry.
-
Customs3 months agoHow Comptroller Adenuga is raising revenue profile of Seme command, facilitating regional trade.
-
Headlines3 months agoNigeria showcases readiness for compliance with IMO decarbonization policy at Brazil conference
-
Headlines3 months agoOndo govt inaugurates former NIMASA Director, Olu Aladenusi, as Special Aide on Marine and Blue Economy
Steven
August 25, 2024 at 6:09 pm
Oga ,don’t go there ,if the NCS promotion exams are handled by in house of those two training customs colleges ,the will compromise it.The will surely leak the promotion exams questions to their beloved or relatives and collect money from them.its better handled by external organisation whom we don’t even have access to or know,firget about the money mgt pays them for their services .