By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has partnered with the World Bank Group to deepen revenue assurance, strengthen compliance management, and enhance trade facilitation through a comprehensive two-week technical assistance programme focused on modern Post Clearance Audit (PCA) practices.
The initiative, implemented under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, commened in Abuja on Monday axcording to a statment on Tuesday by Abdulahi Maiwda, Cutoms spokesperson.
It is expected to reinforce ongoing reforms aimed at building a more efficient, technology-driven, and globally competitive customs administration.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the opening session, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Babatunde Olomu, described the programme as a strategic step toward modernising customs operations and improving revenue generation.
According to Olomu, contemporary customs administrations increasingly depend on intelligence-led and risk-based audit systems that encourage voluntary compliance while supporting economic growth and legitimate trade.
He explained that the mission would enable the Service to review its existing audit processes, identify operational gaps, and adopt international best practices to strengthen its Post Clearance Audit framework.
Key areas of focus include risk-based targeting, case management, quality assurance, registry management, audit standardisation, and the deployment of integrated audit systems.
“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system,” Olomu stated.
He noted that an effective Post Clearance Audit system allows Customs to move beyond transaction-based checks toward a broader compliance management approach that enhances revenue collection, promotes transparency, facilitates trade, and strengthens public confidence in customs operations.
World Bank Commits to Capacity Building
Speaking at the programme, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the technical mission is designed to equip Customs officers with practical audit tools, modern customs techniques, and internationally recognised methodologies.
Kajubi said participants would gain exposure to global best practices in compliance management, audit case handling, and trade facilitation, all of which are critical to improving operational efficiency.
He stressed the importance of leveraging technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making to achieve better compliance outcomes and more effective audit operations.
“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations,” he said.
Technology at the Heart of Reform
Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, highlighted the importance of a structured audit framework in driving revenue optimisation, trade facilitation, and regulatory compliance.
He emphasised the need for standardised audit procedures, robust monitoring mechanisms, and the integration of advanced data analytics into customs processes.
Dutt also underscored the strategic role of the B’Odogwu digital platform in supporting technology-driven audit operations and improving efficiency across the Service.
During a technical demonstration, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Jubril showcased how officers can leverage the B’Odogwu platform to initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.
The workshop is expected to significantly strengthen the audit capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service while supporting broader reforms targeted at boosting revenue generation, facilitating trade, and aligning Nigeria’s customs operations with international standards.
