Business: Customs Generate ₦1.5trn From AEO Programme
Customs duties paid rose by 85.66 per cent, driven by enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated ₦1.585 trillion from 51 companies under its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.
Disclosing this in a statement on Thirsday, NCS National Public Relations Officer, Dr Abdullahi Maiwada, said the programme accounted for 21.77 per cent of the service’s revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025.
According to him, the amount generated after certification was a significant increase from ₦1.222 trillion recorded before the companies were admitted into the programme, reflecting a revenue growth of 29.68 per cent as at October 27, 2025.
“The NCS wishes to inform the public of the significant revenue and trade facilitation milestone achieved under the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, with revenue increasing from N1.22tn before certification to N1.58tn after certification, reflecting a growth of N362bn (29.68 per cent) for the 51 AEO-certified entities as of 27 October 2025,” Maiwada stated.
Maiwada explained that, according to the AEO Monitoring and Evaluation Report, the programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85 per cent, with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
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He emphasised that the evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Customs duties paid rose by 85.66 per cent, driven by enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
Maiwada noted that the programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent, with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
He emphasised that the evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The PRO pointed out that in the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75 per cent time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57 per cent, while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention. Overall, trade efficiency improved by 77 per cent through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management,” he said.
