communication strategy at the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organization held at its headquarters in Brussels from February 25 to 27, 2026.
Delivering a paper titled “Communicating the Results of Capacity-Building Initiatives More Effectively: Nigeria Customs Service Experience and Lessons Learned,” the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, outlined how the NCS has shifted from routine activity reporting to evidence-based communication that highlights measurable reform outcomes.
Maiwada noted that under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who also chairs the WCO Council, the Service has adopted a reform communication framework anchored on institutional capacity building, human resource development, and stakeholder engagement to ensure transparency and trust in its operations.
Using the Time Release Study (TRS) as an example, he explained that the NCS employed transparent data tools, including infographics, to show that most cargo clearance delays stemmed from systemic idle time rather than inspection procedures. He said the strategy helped reposition the narrative towards performance benchmarking and strengthened accountability within the trade ecosystem.
On the Advance Ruling Programme, Maiwada disclosed that the Service issued 83 Advance Rulings in 2025, while registered accounts increased from 60 in December 2024 to 173 in December 2025, representing a 188.3 per cent growth in stakeholder participation. He added that the programme accounted for 2.9 per cent of total revenue from goods valued at ₦240.89 billion in 2025, underscoring its role in enhancing predictability and voluntary compliance.
He also highlighted progress under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, revealing that about 120 companies have attained full AEO certification, while 3,270 officers were trained nationwide as AEO Champions to sustain implementation and stakeholder engagement.
Maiwada further cited the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, B’Odogwu, as a key milestone in the Service’s digital transformation drive, supported by sustained sensitisation and user engagement initiatives.
In addition, he pointed to the Customs Integrity Perception Survey as a data-driven mechanism for measuring accountability and strengthening public confidence, noting that integrity management within the Service is now continuously assessed.
He urged WCO member administrations to integrate communication units at the planning stage of reforms, humanise institutional processes, maintain sustained engagement beyond isolated events, and deepen peer learning across Customs administrations.
At the close of the session, Nigeria nominated LI Yan of China Customs as Chair of the 18th Session of the WCO Capacity Building Committee. The nomination received unanimous backing from delegates. LI Yan, China’s Customs Attaché to Brussels since 2020, has previously served four terms as Vice Chair and was elected Chair at the 16th Session before being re-elected at the just concluded 17th Session, reflecting the confidence of member administrations in her leadership.
