By Juliet Ezeh
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme generated a N362.79bn revenue increase, alongside faster cargo clearance and reduced trade costs, even as it suspended a recently certified operator over false declarations.
Revenue Jump Highlights AEO Impact
According to Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, revenue from 51 AEO-certified entities rose from N1.222tn before certification to N1.585tn as of October 27, 2025, representing a 29.68% growth. The programme accounted for 21.77% of total NCS revenue of N7.281tn in 2025.
Customs duties also increased by 85.66%, reflecting higher compliance and greater volumes of legitimate trade.
Trade Efficiency Gains
The AEO scheme, aligned with the World Customs Organisation SAFE Framework and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, rewards compliant traders with faster cargo processing, fewer inspections, and lower costs.
Key results include:
- Average cargo clearance time: reduced from 168 hours to 41 hours (75.6% reduction)
- Operating costs: down by 57.2%
- Demurrage payments: dropped by 90%
- Overall trade efficiency: improved by 77.11% through digitalisation and targeted risk management
Compliance and Voluntary Contributions
The programme recorded an average compliance rate of 85.45%, with top performers achieving 100%. Nine firms, including PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, MTN Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company, voluntarily remitted over N1bn into the Federation Account following self-initiated audits.
“These actions reflect strengthened post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance,” the NCS said.
Operator Suspension Enforces Programme Integrity
Despite successes, a recently certified AEO company was suspended for false declaration of consignments, in line with AEO Guidelines, WCO SAFE Framework, and Section 112 of the NCS Act, 2023.
NCS Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi emphasised that maintaining strict compliance is crucial for sustaining the programme’s benefits for trade and revenue.
Global Alignment and Future Expansion
First introduced under the WCO SAFE Framework post-9/11, the AEO programme builds trusted trader partnerships to improve supply chain security and trade efficiency.
Nigeria plans to expand the programme with mutual recognition agreements with other customs administrations, allowing certified operators to enjoy similar benefits internationally and support regional trade integration.
In the long term, the AEO programme is expected to:
- Improve logistics performance
- Strengthen supply chain security
- Boost government revenue
- Support industrialisation and export diversification
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.