The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reported generating ₦1.585 trillion in revenue from 51 companies enrolled in its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme during 2025. This accounted for 21.77 per cent of the service’s total annual collection of ₦7.281 trillion.
According to a statement from NCS National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, revenue from the certified operators increased by ₦362 billion, or 29.68 per cent, from ₦1.222 trillion recorded prior to their certification. The growth was measured as of October 27, 2025.
The AEO programme, designed to reward high-compliance traders with expedited clearance, also showed strong adherence to customs regulations. An AEO Monitoring and Evaluation Report cited by Maiwada indicated an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent among participants, with individual scores ranging from 60 to 100 per cent. The evaluation methodologies were aligned with the World Customs Organisation SAFE Framework and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Beyond revenue, the initiative markedly improved trade efficiency. Average cargo clearance time for AEO members fell from 168 hours to 41 hours—a 75 per cent reduction. Company operating costs declined by 57 per cent, and demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, helping to retain foreign exchange. Overall trade efficiency for participants rose by 77 per cent, attributed to digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management.
Customs duties paid by the AEO group specifically surged by 85.66 per cent, driven by both enhanced compliance and increased legitimate trade volumes.
The results underscore the NCS’s strategic shift toward partnership-based customs enforcement. By privileging pre-vetted, compliant operators, the AEO programme aims to streamline legitimate commerce while allowing resources to focus on high-risk consignments. The performance data suggests the model is yielding tangible fiscal and operational benefits nearly two years after the enactment of the 2023 Customs Act, which established the legal basis for the programme. The NCS views the AEO’s success as a key pillar in modernising Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and boosting non-oil revenue.
