…Reaffirms Commitment To Transparency, Modern Reforms
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has firmly rejected a series of allegations bordering on smuggling, revenue leakage, recruitment impropriety and succession manipulation, describing the claims as a misrepresentation of the Service’s operational and administrative realities.
The allegations, contained in an investigative report published by SaharaReporters on August 7, 2026, claimed that smuggling activities had intensified along the Seme, Idiroko, Ilaro, Ipokia and Igbeti-Kishi corridors in Ogun and Oyo States, and alleged that weaknesses in Customs valuation procedures, particularly around the “846” Extended Procedure Code used for vehicles with non-standard Vehicle Identification Numbers, were being exploited to under-declare and undervalue imported vehicles at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.
Responding on behalf of the Service, the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO), Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, said the claim of a “surge” in smuggling along the affected land border corridors did not reflect the true state of enforcement operations. He noted that the frequency and volume of seizures recorded along these corridors, routinely displayed at media briefings hosted by respective Area Controllers, contradicted the notion of unchecked movement of vehicles and trucks into the country. The Service, he said, remained committed to enforcing extant Federal Government restrictions and prohibitions while facilitating the movement of legitimate trade.
On the contentious 846 valuation code, the Service clarified that it is an established digital tool within the Customs portal designed specifically for vehicles with non-standard or non-compliant VINs, such as specialised heavy equipment, classic models, customised vehicles and vintage builds, which cannot be automatically assessed through the standard VIN-Valuation database.
DC Maiwada explained that standard vehicles are processed automatically through a system tied directly to global manufacturer specification databases, removing human discretion, while non-standard 846 applications are subject to mandatory secondary approval by designated Valuation Officers and Area Controllers. He added that “discrepancies uncovered during post-clearance audits routinely trigger Demand Notices for the recovery of short-collected duties and the suspension of offending clearance licences”, and noted that revenue collection at Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML had in fact hit historic highs under the current framework of digital oversight.
On allegations that the recently released Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC II) recruitment list was published without statutory approval, the Service maintained that the entire exercise, from application through computer-based testing, physical screening and final shortlisting, was conducted under the direct supervision and authorisation of the Nigeria Customs Service Board, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and Federal Character Commission guidelines. The published list, it clarified, reflects candidates granted provisional offers of appointment, subject to further medical verification, background checks and formal acceptance.
Addressing questions on a recent leadership training programme for Deputy Comptrollers, the Service described human capital development as a key pillar of its strategic vision, aimed at modernising trade operations, strengthening intelligence management and preparing officers for executive leadership. It stated that official training courses and international exposures, whether delivered locally at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, or abroad, are funded through approved budgetary allocations from the Federal Government or formal bilateral technical assistance arrangements with partner institutions such as the World Customs Organisation.
On claims that the current leadership was manipulating succession by favouring particular officers or groups, including allegations that officers recruited in 1994, 1995 and 1997 were being sidelined in favour of the 2009 intake, the Service described the allegations as baseless. It explained that succession and promotion within the NCS are governed strictly by the Public Service Rules, the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and established career progression structures anchored on seniority, merit as demonstrated in promotion examinations, and the availability of establishment vacancies, rather than personal preference. The Service said promotion exercises under the current leadership had been made regular, transparent and prompt, with no qualified officer denied elevation on account of their year of recruitment.
On calls by stakeholders for independent investigation by the Presidency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the National Assembly and the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Service reiterated that it operates under the statutory oversight of the Federal Ministry of Finance and remains subject to scrutiny by the National Assembly, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and relevant anti-graft agencies. It said it does not fear, evade or oppose legitimate scrutiny, and regularly cooperates with parliamentary committees, the EFCC, the ICPC and the ONSA.
“The management maintains a firm, intolerant posture toward corruption, revenue leakage, or administrative misconduct. Any officer or stakeholder found complicit in unethical activities will face institutional disciplinary procedures and prosecution under the law,” the Service stated, adding that it would welcome and fully cooperate with any investigation initiated by statutory oversight or anti-corruption bodies.
[8/13, 11:31 AM] DC A Maiwada: Nigeria Customs Deepens Digital Reforms, Reinforces Transparency Amid Growing Public Scrutiny
…Says Openness to Oversight, Merit-Based Promotion Underscore Modernisation Drive
As Nigeria’s trade corridors continue to expand in volume and complexity, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its ongoing digital transformation agenda is steadily closing the gaps that have historically made revenue leakage and procedural abuse possible, even as the Service faces renewed public scrutiny over its enforcement and administrative practices.
The Service’s position was outlined this week in response to questions raised in an investigative report published by SaharaReporters on August 7, 2026, which examined enforcement activity along several border corridors in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States and raised questions about vehicle valuation procedures at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.
Rather than treating the enquiry as an isolated controversy, the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, used the opportunity to walk through the systems the Service has built precisely to prevent the kind of abuse the report describes.
He stated that, central to that system is the digital VIN-Valuation framework now governing vehicle clearance nationwide. Under the framework, standard vehicles are assessed automatically against global manufacturer specification databases, a design that strips human discretion out of the vast majority of valuation decisions. Only vehicles with non-standard or non-compliant VINs, such as specialised heavy equipment, classic models, customised builds and vintage vehicles, are routed through the “846” Extended Procedure Code
DC Maiwada noted that such applications require mandatory secondary approval from designated Valuation Officers and Area Controllers before clearance is granted.
The Service pointed to its post-clearance audit regime as further evidence that the system is designed for accountability rather than concealment: discrepancies uncovered during audits routinely trigger Demand Notices for the recovery of short-collected duties and can lead to the suspension of clearance licences for offending agents. Officials noted that revenue collection at Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML has in fact reached historic highs under this framework, a trend the Service attributes directly to the tighter digital oversight now in place.
On enforcement along the land borders, the Service said the seizure figures routinely disclosed at media briefings by Area Controllers tell a different story from the one suggested by claims of an unchecked smuggling surge, and it reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing federal restrictions while continuing to facilitate legitimate trade.
The Service also used the moment to defend the integrity of its recruitment and promotion processes. It described the recently released Assistant Superintendent of Customs II shortlist, from application through computer-based testing, physical screening and final selection, as having been conducted under the direct supervision of the Nigeria Customs Service Board in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and Federal Character Commission guidelines, with the published list representing provisional offers still subject to medical and background verification.
Similarly, on questions of internal succession, the Service pointed to the Public Service Rules and the NCS Act 2023 as the governing framework for promotion, anchored on seniority, demonstrated merit in promotion examinations, and the availability of establishment vacancies rather than personal or group preference. Officials said promotion exercises under the current leadership have been made more regular, transparent and prompt, with no qualified officer denied advancement on account of their year of recruitment.
The Service framed its leadership training programmes, including courses delivered at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, and abroad, as part of a deliberate human capital strategy tied to its modernisation goals, funded through approved federal budgetary allocations or formal technical assistance arrangements with partner institutions such as the World Customs Organisation.
Perhaps most notably, the Service did not shy away from calls for independent scrutiny. It reiterated that it already operates under the statutory oversight of the Federal Ministry of Finance and remains subject to review by the National Assembly, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, and anti-graft agencies including the EFCC, the ICPC and the ONSA, stating plainly that it neither fears nor evades legitimate scrutiny.
“The management maintains a firm, intolerant posture toward corruption, revenue leakage, or administrative misconduct,” the Service stated, adding that any officer or stakeholder found complicit in unethical conduct would face institutional disciplinary procedures and prosecution under the law.
About the Author
