WCO Endorses Nigeria’s Time Release Study as Catalyst for Faster, Safer Trade Across Africa
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has lauded Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS) as a critical, evidence-based reform capable of improving border efficiency, strengthening trade competitiveness along African trade corridors and enhancing national safety.
The commendation was given by the Secretary-General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders, on Monday, 26 January 2026, during the formal presentation of the TRS report conducted at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.
Saunders described the study as providing Nigeria with “specific and objective insights” into the functioning of its border clearance processes, while clearly identifying areas where targeted improvements can deliver tangible results.
According to him, the TRS – implemented with support from the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme – goes beyond policy intentions by translating reform objectives into measurable operational outcomes. He noted that the findings offer Nigeria a practical pathway to improving trade efficiency without undermining border security.
“The findings of this study provide Nigeria with a clear opportunity to deliver equally clear improvements that will strengthen both the economy and the safety of the country,” Saunders said.
He explained that the Time Release Study is one of the WCO’s core performance measurement tools and is widely deployed by Customs administrations around the world to enhance transparency, predictability and efficiency in cargo clearance processes, while maintaining robust security controls.
Saunders further emphasised that although Customs administrations play a central role in trade facilitation, the successful implementation of TRS recommendations requires coordinated action involving government agencies, the private sector and the wider trading community.
“Trade facilitation is not achieved by policy alone. It is realised through consistent, efficient and sound practices. The Time Release Study shows what is working, what is not, and where leadership and investment are required,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the Time Release Study aligns strongly with the Federal Government’s commitment to data-driven reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs across Nigeria’s ports and border posts.
She described the TRS as a strategic policy instrument that enables governments to objectively measure performance, identify bottlenecks and strengthen transparency within the trade ecosystem. According to her, the study supports smarter regulation, evidence-based decision-making and improved inter-agency coordination.
“The Time Release Study is not merely a diagnostic exercise; it is a reform tool that supports smarter regulation, evidence-based decision-making and improved coordination across border agencies,” the minister stated.
Uzoka-Anite noted that efficient cargo clearance processes are essential for boosting investor confidence and driving economic growth, stressing that global trade competitiveness is increasingly shaped by speed, certainty and regulatory compliance.
She assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s continued support for reforms that modernise border management, strengthen institutional capacity and promote collaboration among trade-related agencies.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for taking the lead in addressing systemic bottlenecks within the trade ecosystem.
She described the initiative as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving efficiency and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service is institutionalising the Time Release Study as part of its broader reform agenda to enhance cargo clearance efficiency and service delivery.
Adeniyi explained that the study provides credible, empirical data on cargo dwell time, enabling Customs and its partner agencies to identify procedural overlaps, eliminate unnecessary delays and streamline clearance processes across ports.
“The Time Release Study allows us to move from assumptions to facts. It tells us exactly where time is lost and where reforms must be focused to achieve measurable improvements,” he said.
He reiterated the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining strict compliance and security standards, noting that faster clearance processes must always be balanced with effective controls.
The initiative also received international backing, as a representative of the United Kingdom High Commission to Nigeria praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive adoption of WCO trade facilitation tools, particularly the Time Release Study, which is supported through an initiative of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Providing further insights into the report, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of the Strategic Research and Policy Department, Mr Dera Nnadi, said the outcomes of the study would guide operational adjustments, policy refinement and infrastructure planning.
He noted that the Service would continue to work closely with stakeholders to deliver a more predictable, transparent and efficient trade environment for Nigeria.
