The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation WCO, and the United Kingdom International Development, is taking steps to strengthen its internal anti-corruption mechanisms, as it hosted a workshop focused on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, while speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop held Friday August 21, 2026 at Customs Maitama, Abuja, headquarters, noted that the mission under the WCO is an important step in strengthening institutional growth, integrity, and corruption risk management. He further stated that the exercise has nothing to do with fault-finding or apportioning blame; rather, it allowed the system to look at itself, identify weaknesses, and develop sustainable solutions.

“This assessment is designed to cover key Customs processes, including regulatory and administrative procedures, clearance processes, inspection and examination, enforcement and compliance, procurement and human resource management.

“The purpose of what we have therefore been doing with our partners is to identify such areas of vulnerabilities, assess the associated risk and develop practical measures to mitigate them,” he stated.

“The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to support measures that strengthen transparency, accountability, internal controls, process simplification, and the use of technology to reduce unnecessary discretion.

“A customs administration that is transparent, that is predictable and accountable, is better positioned to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance, and enhance public confidence” Adeniyi said.

Meanwhile, Lead Technical Expert, Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme of the WCO, Arman Zhalitov, who commended the Nigeria Customs boss for his continued support, urged the working group to champion endorsement of the workshop outcomes, which include a comprehensive action plan outlining clear steps to advance trade facilitation and strengthen the anti-corruption agenda.

The WCO Programme Manager for the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, David Tanenbaum, who also spoke at the event, outlined achievements in AEO, post-clearance audit, and the time-release study, noting that integrity does not exist in a vacuum.

“These achievements demonstrate that the partnership is delivering tangible institutional and operational results. Our work continues to bring us closer to a systematic, preventive approach to identifying and managing corruption risks within customs operations”, Tanenbaum said.