Customs, World Bank Partner to Enhance Post-Clearance Audit Capacity
By Queen Abayomi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Bank Group, has launched a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme.
The training programme, holding from June 1 to June 12, 2026, at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is aimed at strengthening compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through improved audit practices.
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Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the opening ceremony, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the initiative as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts. He said the programme aligns with the NCS vision of becoming a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration.
Olomu noted that customs administrations worldwide are increasingly adopting intelligence-led, risk-based, and post-clearance interventions that encourage voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and economic development.
According to him, the mission provides an opportunity to review current procedures, identify operational gaps, benchmark against international standards, and develop practical measures to strengthen the Service’s Post-Clearance Audit framework.
He identified key focus areas for the engagement to include risk-based targeting, case and registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems.
Olomu stressed that an effective PCA system enables Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls toward a more strategic compliance management model capable of improving revenue collection, facilitating trade, promoting transparency, and enhancing public trust.
He commended the Comptroller-General for prioritising capacity development and modernisation, while also appreciating the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support of Customs reforms.
He further urged participants to actively engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained to improve operational performance across the Service.
Speaking during the event, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission was designed to strengthen the skills of Post-Clearance Audit officers through exposure to modern customs practices, practical audit tools, and internationally recognised methodologies.
Kajubi explained that participants would learn global best practices in compliance management, audit execution, and case management that could be adapted to Nigeria’s operational environment.
He highlighted the importance of technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making in improving audit quality, compliance monitoring, and trade facilitation outcomes.
Kajubi expressed confidence that the programme would enhance institutional capacity and support the broader modernisation objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Also speaking, Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission aims to improve trade facilitation, optimise revenue generation, and strengthen compliance management through a more coordinated and standardised approach to Post-Clearance Audit.
He emphasised the need for uniform audit methodologies, robust monitoring systems, and the integration of data analytics into audit processes to improve accountability and operational efficiency.
Dutt also underscored the role of technology-driven solutions, including the B’Odogwu platform, as well as the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support a competency-based audit system across the Service.
During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Jubril demonstrated the Post-Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, showcasing how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to make the most of the training and apply the skills acquired to support the strategic goals of the Nigeria Customs Service.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 3RD 2026)
