Nigeria Customs Service Conducts Desk and Onsite audit and validation visits in Abuja and Lagos

By: Titus Omajali – Communications & marketing strategist , NCS AEO TWG.

In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Trade policy initiatives to secure National economic interests and ease the cost of doing business in Nigeria, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) – Bashir Adewale Adeniyi continues to demonstrate commitment and pragmatic efforts to streamline clearance processes and facilitate legitimate trade across Nigeria’s borders and the International Supply Chain as a whole through the Authorised Economic Operators program in Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

In the months of May & June 2024, the NCS AEO technical Working Group led by CSC Nnenna Ugo Awa conducted mandatory pre – qualification audits & validations ( desk and on-site) of the companies selected for the pilot phase of the AEO program.

These are critical components of the process for a business seeking AEO status. The audits & validations are stringent and evaluates whether a company meets the compliance & supply chain security requirements to be considered a secure and trusted partner in the international supply chain.

It may interest you to note that the AEO team comprises of representatives from Post Clearance Audit (PCA), Risk Management (RM), Human Resources (HR), Public Relations (PR) , Enforcement and the Legal Unit.

These very professional team of officers carried out AEO on-site audit visits to six notable companies which are on the pilot phase of the program; namely:
First Class Refreshment, Le-Look Nigeria Limited, 11 PLC, Huawei Technologies Ltd, Friesland Campina WAMCO, and Ideal Royal Crown Logistics.

Based on the audit findings, the business will either achieve AEO status or recieve recommendations for improvements. If deficiencies are noted, the business entity will be subjected to the NCS Compliance Improvement Program to plug recognised gaps & under – go a follow up audit.

Achieving the AEO status can result in various benefits that will summarily boost Customs revenue by reducing import turn around time and ease the cost of doing business for the qualified companies.

Eased out Costs will include financial cost, time cost and psychological cost .

These audits & validation processes underscores the importance of the AEO program in promoting secure, compliant, and efficient trade practices; by ensuring that companies meet the stringent requirements for facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.

The successful completion of these validations demonstrates the NCS’s dedication to maintaining high standards and its ongoing efforts to support businesses in achieving AEO certification.

For more information on the AEO program, please visit our website at www.aeo.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng or send an e-mail to aeo@customs.gov.ng