The Nigerian Customs Service has suspended the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification of a company following an investigation into false consignment declarations, the agency announced on Thursday.
The action, directed by Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, targets a recently certified AEO entity found to be in breach of program obligations. According to a statement by service spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the suspension was enacted immediately in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. The name of the defaulting company was not disclosed.
The suspension underscores the Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing compliance within its trusted trader program, despite the significant revenue gains attributed to the AEO initiative. The statement highlighted that revenue collection from the 51 AEO-certified entities has been substantial. Total remittances to the Federation Account from the program have reached N362.97 billion since its commencement.
Specifically, overall revenue collection rose from N1.222 trillion prior to the AEO rollout to N1.585 trillion by October 2025. For the AEO cohort alone, this reflects a growth of N362.79 billion, a 29.68 percent increase, as of 27 October 2025.
The identified breach involves the submission of false declarations for imported consignments, a direct contravention of the stringent transparency and accuracy requirements that define AEO status. The AEO program is designed to grant expedited clearance and other benefits to vetted businesses with proven records of compliance, thereby facilitating legitimate trade while securing revenue.
By suspending the violator’s certification, the Customs Service is enforcing the non-negotiable terms of the program. This measure serves as a deterrent and reaffirms that participation in the AEO scheme is contingent on strict adherence to customs laws and regulations. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring integrity within trade facilitation frameworks and the service’s readiness to revoke privileges for non-compliance. The broader implication is the preservation of the AEO program’s credibility as a pillar of Nigeria’s trade security and revenue mobilization strategy.
