By Danjuma Amodu | February 20, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a significant revenue and trade facilitation milestone achieved under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.
According to the AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, revenue increased from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification, reflecting a growth of ₦362.79 billion (29.68%) for the 51 AEO-certified entities as at 27 October 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia, National Public Relations Officer for Comptroller-General of Customs on the Service official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The Programme contributed 21.77% to NCS’s 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. The AEO Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45%, with the highest at 100% and the lowest at 60%.
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%, while demurrage payments dropped by 90%, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11% through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management.
The NCS commends companies such as 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 for voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
However, the Service has suspended a recently certified AEO company’s status due to false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, directed the suspension in accordance with the AEO Guidelines and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterates that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance and will apply sanctions for violations.
The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework.
