Maritime Media Capacity Development Center Thumbs-up Training of 3,270 Customs Officers as AEO Champions

The Maritime Media Capacity Development Center (MMCDC) has applauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its exemplary efforts in advancing capacity development and professional excellence among its personnel, especially under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.

In a statement signed by Chairman of the Centre, Sesan Onileimo on Friday, he said the Centre is particularly encouraged by the recent announcement that 3,270 officers have been trained nationwide as AEO Champions, and that 120 companies have received full AEO certification.

“These milestones underscore the NCS’s commitment to fostering a culture of competence, transparency, and stake holder engagement within the maritime and trade sectors.

“We recall that, while speaking at the 17th Session of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, highlighted the Service’s innovative reform communication framework.

“This framework emphasizes institutional capacity building, human resource development, and proactive stake holder engagement—pillars that are critical to modernising customs operations and promoting efficient, accountable trade practices.

“The MMCDC commends NCS for leveraging evidence-based storytelling, performance benchmarking, and digital tools such as the Unified Customs Management System, B’Odogwu, to enhance operational transparency and public trust. Initiatives like the Time Release Study (TRS), Advance Ruling Programme, and Customs Integrity Perception Survey demonstrate the Service’s forward-thinking approach in aligning capacity development with measurable trade outcomes.

“As an organisation committed to building media and maritime sector capacity, the MMCDC recognises the profound impact of these initiatives in creating a cadre of well-trained officers who are capable of driving efficiency, integrity, and innovation across Nigeria’s maritime value chain. We encourage continued investment in such programmes. The benefits extend beyond the Service to businesses, communities, and the broader economy” he said

The Centre also commended the leadership of Customs Comptroller General; Adewale Adeniyi for fostering a culture of excellence and for positioning the NCS as a global benchmark in capacity development within Customs administrations.

The Centre notes with pride, that since Adeniyi’s assumption of office, the Service has up-scaled the Customs Command and Staff College, in Abuja as well as the two Customs Training Colleges in Lagos and Kano.

“This has greatly enhanced the performance of all cadres of officers in the Service. This is evident in the exemplary performances of the NCS in trade facilitation, revenue collection, and suppression of importation of illegitimate items, and smuggling.

“The MMCDC looks forward to ongoing collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, World Customs Organisation member-administrations, and stakeholders to further
enhance maritime governance, training, and professionalism, ensuring that Nigeria continues to lead in trade facilitation and maritime best practices” Onileimo concluded