Nigeria Customs Emerges Top Performer in PEBEC Trade Facilitation Assessment
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been recognised as one of Nigeria’s best-performing government agencies in trade facilitation after earning top marks in the 2025 Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Compliance Assessment conducted by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
The assessment, released by PEBEC on Friday, 3 July 2026, ranked the Nigeria Customs Service among the highest-performing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), citing its full compliance with the provisions of the Business Facilitation Act and significant improvements in the speed, efficiency and responsiveness of its trade-related services.
Speaking on the outcome of the assessment, PEBEC Director-General, Zahrah Audu, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for meeting all prescribed compliance standards while demonstrating notable progress in delivering timely and efficient services to importers, exporters and other stakeholders in the trade ecosystem.
According to Audu, the Service distinguished itself by fully satisfying the requirements of the Business Facilitation Act and by improving the timeliness with which it responds to trade-related matters.
She stated that the achievement reflects the agency’s commitment to promoting a transparent, efficient and business-friendly trading environment in line with the Federal Government’s drive to improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business.
Audu attributed the strong performance to the Service’s sustained emphasis on operational efficiency, institutional reforms and improved stakeholder experience, noting that the Customs Service has continued to align its operations with the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.
The PEBEC Director-General also disclosed that 98 per cent of the 69 Ministries, Departments and Agencies assessed under the Business Facilitation Act now meet the expected service delivery standards. She described the figure as clear evidence that reforms introduced under the Act are producing measurable improvements in public sector performance and service delivery across government institutions.
The recognition adds to a series of recent milestones recorded by the Nigeria Customs Service as it continues to modernise customs administration and facilitate legitimate trade while strengthening border management.
Among the key reforms highlighted by PEBEC are the introduction of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, and the rollout of the Advance Ruling System.
These initiatives have significantly transformed customs operations by simplifying import and export procedures, reducing cargo clearance delays, improving predictability for businesses and enhancing transparency in the processing of international trade transactions.
The B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System has automated several customs processes, enabling faster cargo processing and improved coordination among stakeholders, while the Authorised Economic Operator Programme provides trusted traders with expedited customs procedures and other trade facilitation benefits.
Similarly, the Advance Ruling System has provided importers and exporters with greater certainty by allowing them to obtain binding decisions on tariff classification, customs valuation and rules of origin before goods arrive at Nigerian ports.
The latest PEBEC assessment reinforces the Nigeria Customs Service’s growing reputation as a reform-driven institution committed to facilitating trade, improving government efficiency and supporting national economic growth through modern, transparent and technology-driven customs administration.
