By Peace Udugba
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, aimed at improving compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit systems.
The workshop, which runs from June 1 to June 12, 2026, is holding at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, and brings together Customs officers and development partners to deepen institutional capacity and enhance operational efficiency.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Babatunde Olomu, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the initiative as a key step in advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and strengthening its position as a technology-driven and intelligence-led customs administration.
He noted that modern customs operations increasingly depend on risk-based and post-clearance interventions that support voluntary compliance while facilitating legitimate trade and boosting economic growth.
According to him, the mission provides an opportunity to assess existing procedures, identify operational gaps, adopt international best practices, and develop practical solutions to strengthen the PCA framework.
Olomu identified key focus areas of the programme to include risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and the integration of audit systems.
He stressed that an effective Post-Clearance Audit system allows Customs to move beyond transaction-level controls to a more strategic compliance framework that enhances revenue generation, transparency, and public trust.
“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,” he said.
The ACG commended the Comptroller-General of Customs for his commitment to reform and capacity building, while also appreciating the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support.
World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of PCA officers through modern audit tools, global best practices, and practical methodologies.
He explained that participants will be exposed to international standards in case management, compliance monitoring, and data-driven decision-making aimed at improving audit effectiveness and trade facilitation outcomes.
Lead Consultant for the ARMOR-P programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission focuses on improving revenue optimisation, trade facilitation, and compliance management through a structured approach to post-clearance auditing.
He emphasised the importance of standardised audit systems, stronger monitoring frameworks, and the use of data analytics to enhance accountability and efficiency.
Dutt also highlighted the role of technology-driven platforms such as B’Odogwu and the need for 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 PCA process using the B’Odogwu platform, showing how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity Codes and risk indicators.
In his closing remarks, Muhammad Shattima urged participants to maximise the training opportunity and apply the knowledge gained to support the strategic objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
