Abuja, June 3, 2026 – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has partnered with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme to enhance the skills of its officers in modern audit practices.
The collaboration is part of a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) currently underway at the NCS headquarters in Abuja. The programme is designed to improve compliance management, boost revenue assurance, and enhance trade facilitation through contemporary auditing methods.
A statement issued by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at modernising customs operations.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, described the programme as a key milestone in strengthening the service’s transformation into a technology-driven and intelligence-led organisation.
Represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Post-Clearance Audit, Babatunde Olomu, he noted that modern customs administrations increasingly rely on risk-based and intelligence-led approaches rather than traditional transaction checks.
He explained that such methods encourage voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and broader economic growth.
According to him, the engagement provides an opportunity to review existing systems, identify operational gaps, adopt global best practices, and design more effective audit frameworks.
He highlighted key focus areas to include risk-based targeting, case and registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems.
Adeniyi stressed that an effective post-clearance audit system would shift the service from transaction-level monitoring to a more strategic compliance framework that enhances revenue generation, transparency, and public trust.
He also reaffirmed the service’s commitment to continuous reform and capacity development, while commending development partners for their ongoing support in strengthening customs operations.
He urged participants to fully engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained to improve operational efficiency.
Speaking on behalf of the World Bank, Task Team Lead Moses Kajubi said the programme was designed to build the capacity of PCA officers through practical tools, modern audit techniques, and globally accepted standards.
He added that participants would be exposed to international best practices in case management, compliance monitoring, and data-driven audit systems adaptable to Nigeria’s operational context.
Kajubi emphasised the importance of technology adoption and structured data use in improving audit outcomes and strengthening trade facilitation.
Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Aloke Dutt, also noted that the initiative aims to improve revenue performance and compliance management through a more coordinated and standardised audit system.
He stressed the need for uniform audit procedures, stronger monitoring frameworks, and greater use of data analytics to enhance accountability and efficiency.
The workshop, which began this week, is scheduled to conclude on June 12.