CGC Adeniyi Urges Young Customs Officers to Pursue Global Expertise in Post-Clearance Audit as NCS Concludes WCO Trade Facilitation Mission
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged younger officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deliberately shape their careers towards attaining global expertise in Post-Clearance Audit (PCA), describing the discipline as a defining pillar of modern customs administration and the future of trade facilitation in Nigeria.
Adeniyi gave the charge at the conclusion of the five-day World Customs Organisation (WCO) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which ended on Thursday, 23 January 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
The in-country mission brought together customs officers and international experts to deepen capacity in contemporary audit practices and risk-based compliance management.
Addressing participants, the CGC emphasised that Post-Clearance Audit is one of the most critical emerging tools developed by the WCO, noting that mastery of such techniques offers younger officers a clear pathway to align their professional growth with international best practices.
“For the younger officers who are here, this might be the first time you are experiencing this kind of engagement. But our respected WCO experts started from somewhere,” Adeniyi said. “Post-Clearance Audit is one of those emerging tools developed by the WCO, and this is the best way in which you can start your career.”
He further encouraged the officers to cultivate long-term professional aspirations centred on excellence and global relevance. “I want you to begin to look to your aspiration. Let it be shaped towards that dream that, one day, you can also become a PCA expert,” the CGC added.
Describing the five-day programme as both insightful and transformative, Adeniyi noted that the intensive discussions and practical sessions exposed officers to advanced Post-Clearance Audit tools and methodologies capable of significantly enhancing their analytical skills and operational effectiveness.
According to him, the training provided clearer perspectives on modern audit practices, risk management frameworks and compliance monitoring, all of which are essential for facilitating legitimate trade while protecting government revenue and national economic interests.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to continuous institutional reform, sustained collaboration with international partners and the deployment of modern, technology-driven tools to ensure that Nigeria’s customs administration remains aligned with global standards.
In his remarks, WCO Trade Facilitation Expert, James Clark, commended the NCS for its strong willingness to embrace reform and adopt modern customs practices, noting that the Service has recorded commendable progress within a relatively short period.
Clark stressed that long-term success in trade facilitation depends on institutional commitment, sustained capacity building and the consistent application of Post-Clearance Audit tools.
He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to consolidate and expand its gains if the current momentum is maintained.
“We are always looking for that time when you will reach what we call the impact level,” Clark said. “Impact level means you have created a more effective, more facilitative trading environment. I have the utmost confidence in your ability to do this.”
He also thanked participants for their dedication throughout the programme, encouraging continued engagement with the WCO. “I want to thank you all for your commitment this week and for engaging with the experts and with me for the past five days. Do not hesitate to reach out to us going forward,” he added.
The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom, was held from 19 to 23 January 2026.
The programme focused on strengthening customs reforms, with particular emphasis on Post-Clearance Audit and risk-based compliance management as key drivers of efficient and transparent trade processes.
The successful conclusion of the programme marks another significant milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing efforts to promote ease of doing business, strengthen compliance, enhance revenue assurance and position Nigeria as a competitive and reliable trading partner on the global stage.
