Customs’ AEO programme saves importers ₦100m in 4 months
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that beneficiaries of its Advanced Economic Operator (AEO) Programme saved approximately ₦100 million within four months of its implementation.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed this during a pre-launch stakeholders’ engagement on post-clearance audit and advance ruling in Lagos on Wednesday.
Adeniyi, represented by the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Trade and Tariff, Kingsley Egwuh, highlighted the financial and operational benefits of the programme, which has enhanced efficiency and streamlined processes across the supply chain.
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“The AEO programme has brought significant improvements, ensuring that goods move swiftly and securely through the supply chain.
In just four months, the beneficiaries have realised cost savings of approximately ₦100 million,” Adeniyi said.
The AEO programme, launched on April 15, 2024, is a core aspect of the NCS’s modernisation agenda, designed to align Nigeria’s trade practices with international standards in facilitation and supply chain security.
Six pilot beneficiaries, including importers, logistics operators, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have participated in the programme, which commenced administration of benefits in September 2024.
Adeniyi emphasised that complementary initiatives such as Advance Ruling and Post-Clearance Audits are critical to the success of the programme.
These initiatives foster compliance, enhance predictability, and secure government revenue while ensuring a transparent trading environment.
“The Advance Ruling programme fulfils our legal obligations under Standard 9 of the WCO-Revised Kyoto Convention (2006) and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (2017). It provides predictability and transparency for trade while facilitating voluntary compliance and securing government revenue,” the CGC noted.
He further highlighted the Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) reforms, which have strengthened the NCS’s capacity to ensure compliance after goods are released, thereby reducing delays during the clearance process and maintaining operational integrity.
Adeniyi also stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement, describing it as a critical platform for evaluating the programme’s impact, addressing gaps, and co-creating solutions to enhance its effectiveness.
“Your insights and feedback are invaluable as we co-own this project to ensure its sustainability,” he stated.
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