DCC Abdullahi Maiwada PRO
By Uloma Peace Okorie
Maiwada stated this while presenting the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience at the 17th Session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Capacity Building Committee in Brussels.
He said the Service had moved beyond merely reporting training activities to communicating measurable results and their impact on Customs operations.
According to him, the NCS reform communication framework focuses on institutional capacity building, human resource development and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that reforms are effectively implemented, understood and trusted.
Maiwada cited the Time Release Study, Advance Ruling and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes as examples of reforms strengthened by capacity building and effective communication.
He disclosed that about 120 companies had achieved AEO certification, while more than 3,270 Customs officers had been trained nationwide as AEO Champions.
He said the approach reflected the leadership vision of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who has made human capital development a major pillar of Customs modernisation.
The Service has also expanded training in Artificial Intelligence, digital revenue management, image analysis, post-clearance audit and other specialised areas to equip officers for emerging challenges.
The NCS said the investment in people, supported by partnerships with international organisations, is aimed at building a smarter, more professional and technology-driven Customs administration capable of responding to the demands of modern global trade.