By Jennete Ugo Anya
Nigeria’s customs reform drive recorded a major fiscal and trade facilitation milestone in 2025 as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) delivered a revenue growth of N362.79 billion, while also testing its credibility with the suspension of a non-compliant operator.
The service disclosed that revenue generated by AEO certified companies rose from N1.222 trillion before certification to N1.585 trillion after certification, representing a 29.68 percent increase. The figures cover 51 AEO accredited entities as of October 27, 2025.
The disclosure was contained in a press statement issued on February 19, 2026, by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs. According to the statement, the AEO programme contributed 21.77 percent of the Service’s total revenue collection of N7.281 trillion in 2025.
Beyond topline figures, the programme also reshaped compliance behaviour. Customs duties paid by participating firms increased by 85.66 percent, a development the service attributed to improved voluntary compliance and higher volumes of legitimate trade passing through Nigerian ports.
The statement said findings from the AEO Monitoring and Evaluation report showed an average compliance rate of 85.45 percent among certified companies. The highest compliance level recorded was 100 percent, while the lowest stood at 60 percent. He noted that the assessment was conducted using rigorous methodologies designed to ensure objectivity and transparency, in line with the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards and the NCS Act 2023.
In operational terms, the impact on trade facilitation was significant. Average cargo clearance time dropped from 168 hours to 41 hours for AEO participants, translating to a 75.60 percent reduction. Company operating costs declined by 57.2 percent, while demurrage payments fell sharply by 90 percent. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 percent, driven largely by digitalisation and risk-based management systems.
The service also highlighted a shift toward self-regulation among trusted operators. Companies including Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Limited, Chi Farms Limited, CORMART Nigeria Limited, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc were commended for voluntarily remitting over N1 billion into the Federation Account. The payments followed self-initiated transaction reviews and disclosures, a practice customs said strengthened transparency and revenue assurance.
However, the programme’s enforcement credentials were tested when a recently certified AEO company was found to have engaged in false declaration of consignments. Customs said the violation was uncovered through post certification monitoring.
Consequently, the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, approved the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status. The action, according to the service, was taken in line with AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards and Section 112 of the NCS Act 2023.
For customs, the decision carried a broader message. While the AEO scheme is designed to reward trusted operators with speed and predictability, it is not a shield against sanctions. The suspension signals that the programme’s integrity rests on continuous compliance, not just entry certification.
The AEO framework, backed by the World Customs Organization, is a voluntary partnership model that enhances supply chain security while offering incentives such as expedited clearance and reduced inspections. Its relevance lies in balancing stricter border controls with smoother cargo movement, a trade off critical for a country seeking to improve competitiveness and port efficiency.
For certified operators, the benefits are clear. Faster processing, fewer physical and documentary checks, lower logistics costs and reduced demurrage exposure translate into greater certainty for business planning. For government, the gains show up in higher revenue, improved compliance and better use of enforcement resources.
The AEO programme also sits within a wider reform agenda. In August 2025, the NCS directed all companies operating under the Fast-Track Scheme to migrate to the AEO framework on or before December 31, 2025. The transition ensures that only firms accredited under the more robust AEO system continue to enjoy trade facilitation privileges.
Customs said the migration forms part of efforts to modernise cargo clearance, deepen digital processes and align Nigeria’s border management with international best practice. The 2025 results suggest that when compliance incentives are matched with firm enforcement, reform can deliver both efficiency and revenue.
In that balance between trust and accountability, the AEO programme is emerging as a central pillar of Nigeria’s evolving customs architecture.
